FROM   THE   LIBRARY   OF 
REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.   D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON   THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY 


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THE 


MINISTRY  OF  T^JI 


WITH 

INCIDENTAL  NOTICES  OF  OTHER  PROFESSIONS. 

BY 

// 
SAMUEL   HOPKINS    EMERY, 

Pastor  of  one  of  ita  Churches. 
WITH  AN 

INTRODUCTORY   NOTICE 

BY 

HON.  FRANCIS  BAYLIES. 


IN  TWO  VOLUMES. 
VOLUME  II. 


"The  glory  of  children  are  their  fathers."  —  PrOV.  17:  6. 
u  The  Lord  our  God  be  with  us,  as  He  was  with  our  fathers."—!  KINGS  8 :  57. 


BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED  BY  JOHN  P.  JEWETT  &  CO. 

CLEVELAND,  OHIO: 

JEWBTT,  PROCTOR  &  WORTHINGTON. 

LONDON  :  LOW  &  CO. 

1853, 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1852,  by 

JOHN  P.  JEWETT  &  COMPANY, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


N.  H.  STEAM  PRINTING  WORKS : 

TBJPP  AND  OSGOOD,  PRINTIB3, 
CONCORD,   N.   H. 


ADVERTISEMENT  TO  THE  SECOND  VOLUME. 


If  it  was  far  from  the  author's  purpose,  when  his  atten- 
tion was  first  turned  towards  the  early  history  of  Taunton, 
to  give  the  world  the  result  of  his  researches  in  the  form 
of  a  book,  it  was  least  of  all  contemplated,  that  it  might 
extend  to  two  volumes.  It  was  found  impossible  however, 
as  the  work  went  on,  to  bring  the  materials  at  hand,  with- 
in the  limits  of  a  single  volume. 

It  was  hoped  that  subscribers  would  not  complain,  if  the 
conditions  of  the  subscription  were  so  far  varied,  as  to  al- 
low greater  completeness  to  the  original  design.  The 
work,  such  as  it  could  be,  prepared  amidst  manifold  other 
cares  and  duties,  is  now  submitted  to  an  indulgent  public, 
with  the  single  desire  that  it  may  add  a  little  to  the 
amount  of  knowledge  concerning  those  who  have  preceded 
us,  and  greatly  augment  our  regard  for  their  memory. 

Taunton,  December,  1852. 


CONTENTS  OF  YOLUME  II. 


CHAPTER  I. 

REV.   CALEB  BARNUM,   THE   SEVENTH   MINISTER  OP  TAUNTON,.  .  1-10 

APPENDIX  TO  CHAPTER  I. 

Note  A.    Barnum's  Sermon  in  1762, 11-22 

Note  B.    Barnum's   Sermon  in  1 769, 23-27 

Note  C.    Barnum's  Sermon  in  1775, 27-29 

CHAPTER  H. 

REV.   ELIAS  JONES,   THE   EIGHTH  MINISTER  OP  TAUNTON, 30-33 

APPENDIX  TO  CHAPTER  II. 
Not«  A.    Report  of  a  Committee  to  supply  the  pulpit, 34 

CHAPTER  in. 

REV.   EPHRAIM   JUDSON,    THE   NINTH   MINISTER   OP   TAUNTON, ..  35-43 

An  Ordination  Sermon  by  Mr.  Jndson,  in  1789, 45-76 

A  Sermon  on  the  Judgment  of  the  Great  Day, 77-113 

APPENDIX  TO  CHAPTER  IH. 

Note  A.    Appeal  of  the  Church  to  the  Congregation. 114-115 

Note  B.     Council  called  on  dismission  of  Mr.  Judson, 115-118 

Ancient  Articles  of  Faith,  of  the  Church  in  Taunton, 118-120 

CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Meeting  of  Friends  in  Taunton, 121 

The  Sandemanian  Meeting, 121-122 

The  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 122-126 

The  Congregational  Church.    West  Taunton, 126-129 

The  Congregational  Church.     Taunton  Green, 129-140 

The  Six  Principle  Baptist  Church, 141-142 

The  Taunton  Green  Baptist  Church   (Calvinistic,) 142-143 

The  Trinitarian  Congregational  Church, 143-146 

The  Free  Will  Baptist  Church.    North  Taunton, 146 

The  Universalist  Church, 147-148 


VI  CONTENTS. 

Page. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.     Weir  Village, 148 

The  Protest,  or  Reformed  Methodist  Church.    South  Taunton,.  148-149 

The  Roman  Catholic  Church, , 149 

The  Spring  Street  Church, 149-151 

The  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church, 151 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.     Whittenton  Village, 151-152 

The  Central  Christian  Church, 152 

The  Swedenborgians, 1 52 

CHAPTER  V. 

THE   CHURCHES  AND   MINISTRY   OF  NORTON. 

Original  Church  Organization  and  Covenant, 153-155 

Rev.  Joseph  Avery,  the  first  minister, 156 

Rev.  Joseph  Palmer,  the  second  minister, 158-161 

Rev.  Pitt  Clarke,  the  third  minister, 161-169 

Clarke's  Sermon  in  1794, 170-179 

Clarke's  Right  Hand  of  Fellowship  in  1800, 179-182 

The  Baptist  Church  in  Norton, 182-183 

Congregational  Trinitarian  Church  in  Norton, 1 83-1 84 

The  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church.    Norton, 185 

CHAPTER  VI. 

THE    CHURCHES   AND   MINISTRY   OF   DIGHTON. 

Rev.  Nathaniel  Fisher,  the  first  minister, 186-187 

Rev.  John  Smith,  the  second  minister, 187-188 

Second  Congregational  Society  in  Dighton, 189-190 

Calvinistic  Baptist  Church  and  Society,   190 

First  and  Second  Christian  Baptist  Churches, 191 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 191 

CHAPTER  VII. 

THE    CHURCHES   AND   MINISTRY    OF   EASTON. 

Rev.  Matthew  Short,  the  first  minister, 192-193 

Rev.  Joseph  Belcher,  the  second  minister, 193 

Rev.  Solomon  Prentice,  the  third  minister, 193-200 

Church  Covenant  of  Easton, 194-198 

Rev.  Archibald  Campbell,  the  fourth  minister, 200 

Rev.  William  Reed,  the  fifth  minister, 200-203 

Rev.  Mr.  Reed's  Sermon  in  1784, 204-209 

Second  Congregational  Church, 209 


CONTENTS.  vii 

Page. 

Episcopal  Methodist  Church  and  Protestant  Methodist  Church, 209 

Roman  Catholic  Church, 210 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE    CHURCHES   AND   MINISTRY    OF   RAYNHAM. 

Rev.  John  Wales,  the  first  minister, 212-218 

Rev.  Peres  Fobes,  the  second  minister, 218-235 

Dr.  Fobes'  Sermon  at  the  Execution  of  Dixon  in  1784, 235-247 

Rev.  Stephen  Hull,  the  third  minister, 247 

Rev.  Enoch  Sanford,  the  fourth  minister, 247-248 

Rev.  Robert  Carver,  the  fifth  minister, 248 

The  Calvinistic  Baptist  Church, 248 

The  Second  Congregational  Church, 248-249 

Union  Meeting, 249 

CHAPTER  IX. 

THE    CHURCHES   AND   MINISTRY   OP   BERKLEY. 

Organization  of  the  Church, 250 

Rev.  Samuel  Tobey,  the  first  minister, 251-254 

Rev.  Thomas  Andros,  the  second  minister, 254-263 

Sermon  of  Mr.  Andros  in  1790, 263-277 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Poor,  the  third  minister, 277-278 

Rev.  J.  U.  Parsons,  the  fourth  minister, 278 

Rev.  Charles  Chamberlain,  the  fifth  minister, 278 

The  Second  Trinitarian  Congregational  Church, 278 

CHAPTER  X, 

THE   CHURCHES   AND   MINISTRY   OP  MANSFIELD. 

Church  organized,  its  Creed  and  Covenant, 279-280 

Rev.  Ebenezer  White,  the  first  minister, 281-284 

Rev.  Roland  Green,  the  second  minister, 284-289 

Rev.  Richard  Briggs,  the  third  minister, 289-292 

Rev.  James  H.  Sayward,  the  fourth  minister, 292-293 

Second  Congregational  Society, 293-294 

Rev.  Mortimer  Blake,  its  first  minister, 294 

Society  of  Friends, 294-295 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 295 

Christian  Baptist  and  Calyinistic  Baptist  Churches, 295 


Vlll  CONTENTS. 

Page. 
APPENDIX  TO  CHAPTER  X. 

Note  A.    Roland  Green's  last  Sermon, 296-300 

Notb  B.    Roland  Green's  Ofcarge, 301-304 

CHAPTER  XL 

Concluding  Remarks, 305-308 

APPENDIX  TO  CHAPTER  XI. 

Not*  A.    Notice  of  Hon.  Robert  Treat  Paine, 339-316 

Note  B.    Letters  of  early  ministers  and  settlers  of  Taunton,  found  among 

the  Blather  and  Hinckley  Papers  of  the  Mass.  Hist.  Society,. . .  .316-329 

The  Lithographs  and  Autographs  in  this  work, 330-336 

Index  of  subjects, 337-341 

Index  of  names, 341-345 

Chapter  of  errata, 346 

List  of  subscribers, 347-360 


THE  MINISTRY  OF  TAUNTON. 


CHAPTER  I. 

REV.   CALEB   BARNUM,   THE   SEVENTH  MINISTER  OP 
TAUNTON. 

After  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Crocker  in  1765,  several 
ministers  occupied  the  pulpit,  two  of  whom  received  a  call 
to  settle,  which  they  declined,  viz.,  Mr.  Camp,  and  Mr. 
Lathrop,  the  latter  afterward  locating  in  Boston.  The 
people  at  length  were  united  in  Rev.  Caleb  Barnum,  who, 
accepting  the  call  extended  to  him,  became  the  seventh 
minister  of  the  town.  Mr.  Barnum  was  a  native  of  Dan- 
bury,*  Conn.  The  early  records  of  that  town  were  de- 
stroyed in  the  Revolutionary  War.  The  British  advanced 
from  Norwalk  to  Danbury,  and  burnt  every  public  build- 
ing, thus  laying  waste  the  reserved  stores  for  the  Ameri- 
can army,  and  leaving  not  a  vestige  of  the  Town  Records 
behind  them.  Nor  can  the  memories  of  the  fathers,  nor 
family  records,  so  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  learn,  supply 

*  Of  this  town,  Rev.  Seth  Shove,  son  of  Rev.  George  Shove,  the 
third  minister  of  Taunton,  was,  as  haa  been  remarked  in  another  part 
of  this  work,  the  first  minister. 
1 


THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 


this  deficiency  in  the  case  of  the  Barnum  family.  Rev. 
Mr.  Coe  of  Danbury  informs  me,  that  he  sent  my  letter 
of  enquiry  ato  Bethel,*  a  sort  of  hive  of  the  Barnums, 
but  without  deriving  any  satisfactory  information.  "I 
have  gone  out,"  he  continues,  "  in  another  direction  some 
four  miles,  but  dense  darkness  seems  to  rest  upon  the  sub- 
ject." 

From  a  descendant  of  the  minister,  residing  in  Taunton, 
I  learn,  (and  it  is  the  sum  total  concerning  the  ancestry 
from  that  source  -which  I  can  learn,)  that  the  name  of  his 
father  was  Thomas — of  his  mother,  Deborah.  A  work 
has  recently  made  its  appearance  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  call- 
ed "R.  R.  Hinman's  Catalogue  of  the  first  Puritan  Set- 
tlers of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,"  to  be  issued  in  a 
series  of  numbers,  the  first  of  which,  through  the  kindness 
of  the  author,  I  have  been  permitted  to  examine.  Under 
the  name  of  Barnum,  he  says :  "In  the  early  records  of 
the  Colony,  this  name  is  usually  written  Barnam,  though 
it  has  changed  to  Barnum.  It  is  supposed  by  many,  that 
it  was  originally  the  same  as  Burnhain,  Burnam,  or  Burn- 
um,  as  the  name  is  found  on  the  different  records  in  Con- 
necticut. I  am  inclined  to  believe  the  name  is  Barnham. 
If  the  family  have  their  coat  of  arms,  they  may  settle  the 
question.  Thomas  Barnum,  (Barnam,  or  Barnham,)  of 
Fairfield,  purchased  land  at  Norwalk,  as  early  as  1662. 
He  received  an  appointment  at  Norwalk,  as  late  as  1676. 
His  children  born  at  Norwalk  were  Thomas,  born  July  9, 
1663 ;  John,  born  February  24,  1676-7 ;  Hannah,  born 
October  4,  1680 ;  Ebbinezer,  bom  May  29,  1682.  Mr. 
Barnum  removed  to  Danbury  in  the  early  settlement  of 

*  If  the  name  given  to  this  locality  was  suggested  by  the  character 
of  the  people,  it  6poaks  well  for  "the  Barnums." 


CALEB   BARNUM. 


the  town,*  and,  perhaps  had  other  children  after  his  re- 
moval. Thomas  Barnum,  in  1681,  was  appointed  by  the 
town,  (that  is,  Nor  walk,)  i  to  keep  deeorum  during  the 
exercises  on  the  Sabbath,  and  at  other  public  meetings,  and 
to  keep  a  small  stick,  with  which  moderately  to  correct 
the  disorderly.'  In  1671,  he  was  put  down  in  the  list  of 
estates  at  <£40  of  commonage.  Barnum  has  three  coata 
of  arms." 

In  a  communication  received  from  Mr.  Hinman,  he 
states  with  considerable  confidence  that  Rev.  Caleb  Bar- 
num "  was  a  descendant  of  Thomas  Barnum  the  first," 
whom  he  describes, "  but  through  which  son,"  he  is  unable 
to  decide.  He  may  have  been  the  son  of  the  eldest  child 
of  "  Thomas  the  first,"  who  bore  the  name  of  his  father f 
but  more  probably,  he  was  of  the  third  generation.  He 
was  born  June  80,  1737.  Peter  T.  Barnum,  Esq.,  of 
Bridgeport,  consulted  an  aged  aunt  of  his,  who  was  a  Bar- 
num, and  married  a  Eairchild,  now  ninety  year3  of  age, 
who  remembers  to  have  heard  her  father  speak  of  a  Caleb 
Barnum.  He  was  three  years  younger  than  her  father, 
whose  name  was  Ephraim.  "  There  is  no  one  living  now, 
who  knows  any  thing  about  him."  Thus  ignorant  con- 
cerning one,  who  was  no  ordinary  man,  are  the  nearest 
family  connections  in  a  neighboring  State.  The  truth  ap- 
pears to  be  that  the  seventh  minister  of  Taunton  was 
either  a  grandson  or  great-grandson  of  one  of  the  original 
settlers  first  of  Norwalk,  and  next  of  Danbury,  Connecti- 
cut. "He  was  educated,"  according  to  the  assertion  of 
some  one  in  a  newspaper  paragraph,  "  at  Princeton  Col- 
lege, New-Jersey,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1757,"  but 

*  Thomas  Barnum  "\ras  one  of  the  first  eight  settlers  of  Danburjv 
IIc  had  five  sons.    (Bobbins'  Century  Sermon.^) 


THE   MINISTRY    OF   TAUNTON. 


I  find  no  record  of  this  in  '"Farmer's  Complete  list  of 
graduates/'  although  it  is  stated,  that  Rev.  Caleb  Barnum 
received  the  honorary  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  in  1768, 
both  at  Princeton  College,  and  at  Harvard  University. 
He  was  settled  in  the  ministry  first  at  Wrentham,  hi  that 
part  of  the  town  now  called  Franklin,  in  the  year  1 7 G 0 . 
Here  he  prepared  the  way  for  his  distinguished  succ. 
the  Rev.  Doctor  Nathaniel  Emmons.  It  was  no  small 
privilege  to  precede  such  a  man  in  the  ministry.  It  was 
sometime  during  the  year  170S,  that  the  minister  of 
Franklin  found  his  way  to  this  place.  He  was  not  un- 
known to  the  people.  His  predecessor.  Rev.  Mr.  Crock- 
er, had  been  hi  the  habit  of  exchanging  with  him.  I  have 
read  some  of  the  sermons,*  which  were  preached  on  these 
exchanges,  and  do  not  wonder  at  the  interest  which  their 
delivery  excited. 

Mr.  Barnum  was  installed  February  2,  lTGO.f  This 
fact  is  stated  on  the  authority  of  one.  who  was  formerly 
conversant  with  the  records.  We  are  without  information 
concerning  the  services  of  that  occasion.  The  minutes  of 
the  Installing  Council,  if  there  were  any :  the  proceedings 
of  the  church  and  society,  and  Pastor  elect,  have  irre- 
trievably perished. 

When  Mr.  Barnum  entered  upon  his  ministerial  work  in 
Taunton,  he  was  little  aware  probably  of  its  short  contin- 
uance, of  its  summary  conclusion  hi  the  midst  of  less 
peacefid  scenes  than  await  one  in  the  quiet  retreat  of  a 
small  country  parish.  Bamuni  was  one  of  the  clergy  who, 
in  the  exciting  movements  of  the  age  in  which  he  lived, 
caught  the  enthusiasm  of  the  times,  and  yielded  himself 
up  most  heartily  to  the  service  of  his  country.     He  was  a 

*  Note  A.  t  Note  B. 


CALEB   BARNUM. 


fearless,  christian  patriot.  When  the  tidings  of  the  battle 
of  Lexington  reached  Taunton,  we  are  informed,  that  the 
Preacher  of  the  town  took  occasion  to  speak  of  it  from  the 
pulpit,*  and  to  rouse  the  patriotism  and  energy  of  his  fel- 
low-citizens to  do  their  appropriate  work.  In  an  animat- 
ed, and  eloquent  address,  he  invoked  their  aid  in  resisting 
oppression  and  procuring  the  liberties  of  their  country. 
Nor  did  hi3  own  patriotism  confine  itself  to  words.  It 
shared  in  the  sacrifices  and  endured  the  toil,  even  "  the 
burden  and  heat  of  the  day."  His  sympathies  were  with 
those  who  in  the  Providence  of  God  had  been  called  from 
the  quietude  and  security  of  their  own  peaceful  firesides 
to  the  perils  and  exposure  of  the  camp  and  the  battle-field. 
Ho  followed  them  in  their  wanderings,  and  on  the  10th  of 
February,  1776,  entered  the  army  in  the  capacity  of  a 
Chaplain,  and  was  attached  to  the  24th  Regiment  com- 
manded by  Col.  John  Greaton,  then  stationed  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Boston.  When  Boston  was  evacuated,  Barnum 
accompanied  his  Regiment  to  New- York,  thence  to  Mon- 
treal, where  he  was  inoculated  for  the  small  pox.  In  the 
disastrous  retreat  from  that  Province,  the  minister  of 
Taunton,  unaccustomed  to  such  scenes,  endured  great 
hardships,  as  they  who  accompanied  him  testified,  with 
exemplary  christian  fortitude.  On  the  arrival  of  the  army 
at  Ticonderoga,  he  was  attacked  with  a  bilious  disorder, 
■which  so  impaired  his  health,  and  incapacitated  him  for 
his  station,  that  he  obtained  a  discharge  on  the  24th  of 
July,  and  commenced  his  homeward  journey,  which  how- 
ever was  never  completed.  On  the  2d  of  August,  he 
reached  Pittsfield,  in  [this  State,  and  there  his  progress 
was  arrested  by  an  increase  of  the  disease,  which  at  length 
*  Note  C 


6  THE  MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

terminated  his  life  the  23d  day  of  August,  1TTG,  in  the 
fortieth  year  of  his  age.  He  languished  and  died  in  the 
midst  of  strangers,  but  not  unattended,  nor  uncared  for 
by  the  kindest  of  friends,  as  the  following  letter  from  Rev. 
Thomas  Allen,  the  minister  of  Pittsfield,  addressed  to  the 
Representatives  of  that  town,  most  amply  testifies: 

"Pittsfield,  Aiig'st  26th,  1TT6. 

Last  Friday  died  here,  in  the  40th  year  of  his  age,  af- 
ter an  illness  of  about  thirty-six  days,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Caleb 
Bamum,  late  minister  of  the  Gospel  in  Taunton,  much 
respected  and  greatly  lamented. 

As  this  valuable  person  was  much  a  stranger  in  this 
part  of  the  country,  we  shall  speak  of  him  only  in  his  last 
sickness  and  death,  which  seemed  to  verify  that  inspired 
declaration,  "The  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light, 
that  shineth  more  and  more  to  the  perfect  day." 

He  engaged  in  the  Continental  service,  as  Chaplain  to 
Col.  Greaton's  Regiment,  stationed  before  Boston,  some- 
time in  February  last.  After  the  precipitate  flight  of  the 
rebels  from  Boston  in  the  March  following,  he  went  with 
his  Regiment  to  New- York,  and  from  thence  soon  after  to 
Montreal  in  Canada,  where  he  was  inoculated  for  the 
small  pox.  In  this  northern  tour,  he  underwent  various 
fatigues,  from  several  causes,  in  an  heroic  manner.  After 
the  return  of  the  army  to  Ticonderoga,  he  was  taken  sick 
of  the  bilious  cholic,  about  the  18th  of  July,  and  obtained 
such  relief  from  it,  that  on  account  of  his  ill  state  of  health, 
having  obtained  a  dismission  from  the  army  on  the  :>4th, 
he  was  making  his  way  home. 

He  arrived  at  this  place  August  2d,  in  a  weak  state, 
where  he  languished  of  a  bilious  fever  till  the  23d,  and 
then  died. 


CALEB   BABNUM. 


During  this  season  of  distress,  aggravated  by  diverse 
moving  considerations,  he  maintained  an  unclouded  seren- 
ity of  mind,  the  most  exemplary  patience,  and  submission 
to  the  will  of  Heaven.  Not  a  repining  word  was  uttered 
by  him.  He  received  the  report  of  his  physician,  of  the 
great  hazard  of  his  case,  with  equable  firmness  and  com- 
posure of  mind.  Such  sweetness  of  temper,  such  tran- 
quillity of  spirit,  such  serenity  and  peace  in  the  near  view 
of  death  and  eternity,  such  patience  under  pain,  and  en- 
tire submission  to  God's  disposing  will,  which  appeared  in 
him,  manifested  at  once  the  power  of  those  supports  and 
consolation  which  he  enjoyed,  and  the  excellence  of  the 
Christian  religion.  "  Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  behold 
the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace." 

He  discovered  much  of  a  spirit  of  gratitude  to  God  in 
his  last  sickness,  and  a  firm  trust  and  confidence  in  Him, 
to  take  care  of,  support  and  provide  for  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren. 

Being  asked  his  present  views,  in  the  approach  of  death, 
as  to  the  goodness  of  the  American  cause,  in  which  he 
had  been  engaged,  and  by  means  of  which  he  was  now 
about  to  die,  he  replied: 

"  I  have  no  doubts  concerning  the  justice  and  goodness 
of  that  cause,  and  had  I  a  thousand  lives,  they  should  all 
be  willingly  laid  down  in  it." 

He  was  interred  yesterday  afternoon,  with  great  re- 
spect, when  a  funeral  sermon  was  delivered  from  these 
words:  (John  14th  ch.  28th  verse.)  "If  ye  loved  me,  ye 
would  rejoice,  because  I  said,  I  go  unto  the  Father;  for 
my  Father  is  greater  than  I." 

He  has  left  a  widow,  and  seven  children  to  lament  their 


L 


8  THE  MINISTRY  OF  TAUNTON. 

irreparable  loss.     "Lever  and  friend  hast  Thou  put  far 
from  me,  and  mine  acquaintance  into  darkness." 

Mr.  Valentine  Ratiibun,  )    Representatives  for 
Capt.  Israel  Dickinson,    )  Pittsfield. 

"The  appearance  of  Mr.  Barnum,"  as  those  who  re- 
member him  represent  it,  "  was  commanding,  his  deport- 
ment dignified,  and  his  manners  pleasing  and  affable, 
uniting  the  paternal  mildness  of  tho  clergyman  with  the 
grace  and  polish  of  the  gentleman."  But,  as  Mr.  Baylies 
remarks,  "  the  same  fearless  spirit,  which  bore  him  through 
the  perils  of  war,  developed  itself  in  his  pulpit,  and  in  the 
administration  of  his  parochial,  and  ecclesiastical  affairs.* 
His  contest  with  the  Hon.  Robert  Treat  Paine,  respecting 
the  baptism  of  his  children,  showed  him  the  determined 
supporter  of  the  rights  of  his  church  against  that  distin- 
guished and  eminent  parishioner.!  Notwithstanding  such 
occasional  misunderstandings,  he  retained  the  strong  at- 
tachment of  his  people  to  the  last." 

Mr.  Barnum  married  Priscilla,  daughter  of  Rev.  Caleb 
Rice  of  Sturbridge,  Mass.,  and  sister  of  Col.  Nathan  Rice, 
formerly  of  Hingham,  afterward  of  Burlington,  Vt.,  an 
aid-de-camp  to  Gen.  Lincoln,  during  his  Southern  Cam- 
paign. 

*  The  portrait  which  accompanies  this  sketch,  would  indicate  the 
same  traits  —  amiability,  and  mildness,  not  however  without  duo  energy 
of  character,  and  when  the  exigency  required,  firmness. 

t  The  particulars  of  this  "  contest,"  as  Mr.  Baylies  calls  it,  aro  not 
known  to  me.  Mr.  Paine,  a  native  of  Boston  in  1731,  was  the  son  of  a 
clergyman,  who  for  a  time  was  settled  in  Weymouth,  but  through  failing 
health  engaged  as  a  merchant  in  Boston.  "His  mother  was  a  daughter 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Treat  of  Eastham,  who  was  son  of  Gov.  Treat  of  Connecti- 
cut, whose  wife  was  daughter  of  Rev.  Samuel  Willard  of  Boston.  Of 
clerical  descent  on  both  sides,  Robert  Treat  himself  tried  that  profession 
first,  and  preached  several  times  in  his  native  city.  He  relinquished  it 
however  after  a  brief  trial,  but  ever  after,  as  I  have  understood,  took 
great  interest  in  theological  subjects,  and  in  one  instance  at  least,  came 
in  collision  with  tho  views  of  Mr.  Barnum,  hia  minister,  and  tho  church. 


CALEB    I5ARNUM. 


Mrs.  Barnum  was  born  May  16, 1741,  and  was  married 
to  Mr.  Barnum,  June  18,  1761.  They  had  the  following 
children : 

(1)  Caleb,  born  April  11,  1762,  who  married  Nancy 
Paine  of  Thctford,  Vt.  Two  children  survive  and  reside 
in  Maine. 

(2)  Triscilla,  born  April  1,  1764,  who  married  Capt. 
David  Vickery  of  Taunton.  Three  children  survive,  viz: 
Charles  R.  Vickery,  Esq.,  formerly  Postmaster  of  the 
town,  and  present  Cashier  of  the  Machinists  Bank,  Taun- 
ton ;  Mrs.  Paddock  Dean  of  Taunton,  and  a  son  in  Fall 
River. 

(3)  Deborah,  born  Oct.  27,  1766,  who  married  Thom- 
as S.  Baylies  of  Dighton,  and  died  June  8,  1851,  leaving 
no  children. 

(4)  George,  born  May  25,  1768,  who  married  Sally 
Cutler  of  Weston,  Mass.,  and  died  Oct.  30,  1850,  leaving 
one  son,  who  resides  in  Warren,  Mass. 

(5)  Mary,  born  Sept.  13,  1770,  who  died  in  infancy. 

(6)  Thomas,  born  Oct.  30,  1772,  who  married  Sally 
Abraham  of  New- York  City.     They  have  no  children. 

(7)  Anna,  born  Dec.  30,  1773,  who  married  Rufus 
Child  of  Woodstock,  Conn.  Of  ten  children,  seven  are 
now  living,  and  three,  one  son  and  two  daughters,  reside 
in  Taunton.  Mrs.  Child  is  still  living  in  Taunton,  although 
entirely  blind  and  quite  infirm. 

(8)  Polly,  born  Oct.  11,  1775,  who  married  Rev.  Pe- 
ter Nourse  of  Ellsworth,  Me.     They  have  no  children. 

Mr.  Barnum  occupied  the  house,  which  a  few  years 
since  was  removed  from  the  present  site  of  S.  O.  Dun- 
bar's Apothecary  Shop,  on  Main  Street,  opposite  "the 
Green,' '   and   is  now-  occupied   by   Samuel  Wilde,  Jr., 


10  THE   MINISTRY   OP   TAUNTON. 

nephew  of  Judge  Wilde.  The 
Parsonage,"  where  Mr.  Crocker  lived,  is  situated,  now 
bears  the  name  of  "Barnuni  Street,"  and  it  may  be,  that 
the  minister  lived  there  for  a  time. 


APPENDIX  TO  CHAPTER  FIRST. 


Note  A.     Pago  4. 

I  have  twenty  of  Mr.  Barnum's  sermons  in  my  hands,  be- 
sides several  fragmentary  productions,  which  were  loaned  me 
by  the  minister's  daughter,  Mrs.  Child.  Of  the  sermons,  ten 
were  preached  before  Mr.  Barnum's  Installation  in  Taunton, 
and  of  these,  six  were  delivered  both  in  Wrentham  (Franklin) 
and  in  Taunton.  One  in  1765,  from  the  text,  (Matt.  8 :  25,) 
"And  His  disciples  came  to  Him,  and  awoke  Him,  saying, 
Lord,  save  us;  we  perish."  Concerning  which  text  and  the 
context,  the  Preacher  observes, 

1st.  The  greatness  and  extreme  severity  of  the  storm. 

2d.  The  fact,  Christ  was  asleep. 

3d.  When  all  their  attempts  are  baffled,  and  they  begin  to 
despair  of  help  from  any  other  quarter,  the  disciples  fly  to 
Christ. 

4th.  He  reproves  them  for  their  timorousness. 

5th.  He  arises  and  with  the  majesty  of  a  Cod,  speaks  the 
word,  which  stills  the  tempest,  and  creates  a  calm. 

From  which  points,  considered  at  length,  he  passes  to  remark  : 

1st.  That  the  Church  sometimes  is  in  stormy  and  perilous 
circumstances  in  this  world. 

.    2d.  That  the  Great  Master  and  Head  of  the   Church  may 
seem,  as  it  were,  asleep  and  inattentive  to  their  distresses. 

3d.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  His  followers,  at  such  a  time  to 
awake  Him  out  of  sleep  by  earnest  prayer  and  supplication. 

It  is  a  discourse  eminently  practical,  and  making  a  forcible 
appeal  to  the  hearts  of  his  hearers. 


12  ^         THE   MINISTRY    OF   TAUNTON. 

Another  sermon  is  from  the  Text  (Matt.  3  :  7,)  "  Who  hath 
warned  you  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come?"  The  object  of 
the  discourse  is,  to  show, 

1st.  "What  we  are  to  understand  by  this  "wrath  to  come?1' 

2d.  What  we  are  to  understand  by  the  flight  from  it? 

3d.  The  dangers  which  usually  attend  such  a  flight. 

Among  the  dangers  named  under  the  last  head,  is  the  follow- 
ing: "  Trusting  in  the  external  performance  of  a  round  of  duty 
on  the  one  hand,  or  resting  in  an  imaginary  compliance  with 
the  terms  of  the  Gospel  on  the  other."  And  in  concluding 
his  consideration  of  this  point  he  says  :  "Thus  have  I  endeav- 
ored to  guard  you  against  the  two  rocks,  on  which  millions  have 
run  to  their  ruin,  under  a  notion  of  flying  to  and  trusting  in 
Christ.  And  may  I  not  hope  that  some  of  you,  who  have  long 
been  settled  on  a  false  foundation  are  now  convinced  of  your 
mistake  and  the  rottenness  of  your  foundation.  Alas,  Sirs, 
here  is  now  a  space  for  repentance,  and  why  will  you  stifle  the 
conviction,  that  gathers  upon  you  apace,  in  spite  of  your  disin- 
clination to  act  under  its  influence.  The  reasons  which  induce 
me  to  guard  you  with  so  much  care  against  a  mistake  here,  are 
these,  That  it  is  so  frequent — so  easy  —  and  its  consequences 
so  appalling.  May  each  of  them  have  their  due  operation  on 
you,  to  awaken  just  fear,  and  concern  lest  you  come  short  of 
this  rest." 

A  third  sermon  in  the  series,  was  preached  on  a  Thanksgiving 
occasion,  in  the  year  1762,  the  9th  day  of  December.  Text, 
Deut.  8  :  10,  "When  thou  hast  eaten,  and  art  full,  then  thou 
shalt  bless  the  Lord,  thy  God  for  the  good  land,  which  lie  hath 
given  thee."  On  which,  the  Preacher  proceeds  to  discourse, 
as  follows : 

"  The  inspired  apostle  of  the  Gentiles,  when  speaking  of  the 
duty  of  Thanksgiving,  enjoins  it  in  these  very  extensive  terms 
—  "in  every  thing  give  thanks,"  intimating  that  we  should  live 
hctbituaUy  thankful.  Let  gratitude  bear  a  part  in  all  our  reflec- 
tions on  the  Divine  Conduct;  for  every  dealing  whether  at  pres- 
ent it  have  a  more  smiling  or  frowning  aspect,  being  dictated 


barxum's  sermon  in  1762.  13 

by  Infinite  Tenderness,  and  accommodated  by  unerring  wisdom 
to  some  nolle  purpose,  well  deserves  such  a  tribute  from  us. 
But  yet  this  argues  not,  but  that  some  particular  seasons  in  life 
arc  more  suited  to  inspire  us  with  such  sentiments  than  others. 
As  in  our  text,  we  find  the  duty  reduced  to  the  particular  cir- 
cumstance and  season  of  fullness  and  satisfaction  —  "When 
thou  hast  eaten  and  art  full,  &c."  This  is  part  of  the  solemn 
address,  which  Moses  made  to  the  children  of  Israel  just  before 
they  went  over  Jordan  to  possess  the  promised  land  —  an  ad- 
dress full  of  the  most  lively  and  striking  remonstrances  against 
the  stupidity  and  ingratitude  which  might  lead  them  into  a  for- 
getf ulness  of  their  kind  Benefactor.  Such  remonstrances,  my 
friends,  as  well  suit  our  character,  as  a  stupid  and  ungrateful 
People.  Like  Rebellious  Israel,  we  need  line  upon  line,  pre- 
cept upon  precept  to  keep  us  from  the  same  excess  of  Ingrati- 
tude. Moses  here  speaks  of  what  is  eminently  their  duty,  when 
they  shall  be  brought  to  the  land  of  plenty  and  wealth  to  which 
they  were  going.  The  whole  chapter  contains  many  important 
advices.  (It  has  been  read  in  your  hearing  this  morning.) 
You  easily  see  how  frequently  and  solemnly  Moses  repeats  his 
charges  of  the  same  import  to  the  Israelites,  with  a  diversity  of 
expression,  to  the  degree  that  we  are  ready  to  object  in  our  own 
mind  against  such  a  multiplicity  of  charges  of  the  same  nature, 
and  say,  what  need  is  there  of  dwelling  so  long  on  the  subject. 
One  or  tico  admonitions  might  be  thought  sufficient  to  engage 
the  practice  of  a  well  disposed  people.  Yes,  indeed  a  well  dis- 
posed people !  But  alas !  how  far  were  they  from  meriting  such 
a  character?  They  proved  themselves  to  be  a  stiff-necked  and 
rebellious  nation,  in  a  variety  of  instances  with  which  Moses 
upbraids  them,  and  by  which  he  enforces  his  exhortations  to 
their  future  obedience.  All  which  is  an  argument  of  his  just 
suspicion  and  fear  that  when  they  were  brought  into  the  rich 
and  plentiful  land  of  Canaan  and  made  partakers  of  its  dainties, 
they  would  be  stupid  enough  to  deny  God  the  due  return  of 
praise,  which  he  justly  demands.  God  certifies  to  them  by  the 
mouth  of  Moses,  that  they  shall  surely  perish  in  consequence  of 
9 


. 


14  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

such  conduct.  And  now,  my  hearers,  judge  I  pray  you  between 
God  and  His  people  of  old,  and  say  whether  there  is  any  un- 
reasonable suspicion  in  these  fears,  or  any  unjust  severity  in  the 
sentence  passed  upon  them.  Consider  attentively  and  judge  im- 
partially. But  take  heed,  lest  while  you  judge  others,  you  con- 
demn yourselves.     For  it  shall  bo  our  present  business  — 

1st.  To  attempt  to  show  what  peculiar  obligations  and  mo- 
tives tho  current  year  affords  us  to  bless  God  for  the  comforts 
of  life.     Then 

2d.  What  reason  wo  havo  to  fear  this  just  tribute  will  bo 
denied  him. 

Now  as  this  is  what  we  call  our  annual  Thanksgiving,  tho 
peculiar  design  of  which  is  for  a  religious  remembrance  of  the 
valuable  productions  of  the  earth,  and  God's  crowning  the  year 
with  His  Goodness  in  this  respect,  so  I  shall  principally  re- 
tain your  attention  here,  and  endeavor  to  assist  your  meditation  $ 
in  the  Review.  Yet  I  hope  not  entirely  to  pass  over  in  silence 
those  never  to  be  forgotten  Blessings  with  which  our  arms  have 
been  crowned,  and  above  all,  those  blessings  which  the  Gospel 
affords. 

1st.  We  are  to  mention  some  of  those  circumstances  which 
render  the  productions  of  the  Earth  this  year  more  than  com  - 
monly  valuable  to  us,  which  may  add  a  peculiar  force  to  the 
motives  of  our  Thanksgiving  this  day.  Nature  herself  teaches 
us  that  we  ought  to  be  thankful  to  the  bestower  of  any  benefit, 
by  abhorring  the  ungrateful  beggar,  who  receives  the  alms  of 
unobliged  Benefactors  without  some  warm  expressions  of  Grati- 
tude. Now,  then,  my  hearers,  if  we  are  unthankful,  the  base- 
ness  of  our  Ingratitude  will  arise  in  proportion  as  the  hand  of 
God  was  observable  in  relieving  us  from  the  extremity  of  last 
Summer's  Drought.  The  motives  which  arise  from  this  quarter 
are  as  important  as  they  are  plain  and  familiar  to  every  one's 
mind.  I  entreat  you  a  little  to  consider,  to  what  a  sad  extrem- 
ity we  were  reduced  —  by  what  means  we  were  relieved  —  and 
how  conspicuous  the  hand  of  God  was  both  in  the  extremity 
and  tho  relief. 


barxum's  sermon  in  1762.  15 

1.  Consider  to  what  fearful  straits  we  were  reduced.  I  can 
hardly  persuade  myself  that  your  memories  are  so  dull,  but 
that  you  often  reflect  on  the  day  of  distress.  Especially  since 
you  have  so  many  sad  monuments  to  remind  you  of  it.  For 
how  many  sad  revolving  days  and  weeks,  and  months,  did  the 
Heavens  seem  to  he  as  brass  over  us,  and  the  Earth  as  iron  un- 
der us,  and  the  rain  of  our  land  but  powder  and  dust,  and  in 
consequence  of  this,  with  what  difficulty  did  we  sometimes  find 
icater,  the  common  refreshment  of  Xature  to  relieve  our  thirst 
and  the  thirst  of  our  cattle.  How  melancholy  was  the  Prospect 
when  like  the  People  in  Jeremiah's  time,  we  came  to  the  water 
pits,  (I  mean  our  wells,  the  common  reservoirs  of  water,)  and 
found  none — we  returned  with  our  vessels  empty.  Because 
the  ground  was  chapt  —  for  there  was  no  rain  in  the  Earth. 
The  plowmen  might  be  justly  ashamed  and  confounded,  and 
how  did  our  cattle  snuff  up  the  wind,  as  an  expression  of  their 
distress,  while  their  eyes  failed,  because  there  was  no  grass. 
(Jer.  14:  3,  4.)  And  there  cannot  be  a  reasonable  douht 
with  any  of  us,  but  if  God  had  not  changed  the  dealings  of  His 
Providence  speedily,  the  consequence  of  such  a  calamity  would 
have  been  inevitable  death  perhaps  to  many  of  us,  and  the  most 
of  our  cattle  —  a  death  dreadful  in  proportion  to  all  those  bright 
horrors  which  must  have  attended  the  lingering  circumstances 
of  it.  But,  my  friends,  in  proportion  to  the  horror  and  dread 
of  such  an  extremity  must  be  the  joy  of  our  kind  deliverance, 
(as,  Blessed  be  God !  wo  are  so  far  delivered  as  to  wait  His 
further  bounty,)  and  the  manner  in  which  relief  was  sent  in 
such  great  distress  must  give  the  blessings  consequent  on  them 
a  most  endearing  recommendation. 

2.  It  was  in  answer  to  the  prayers  of  God's  People.  This 
sacred  Dwelling  is  witness  to  our  repeatedly  assembling  on  this 
very  occasion  to  implore  relief  in  this  regard,  and  it  deserves 
our  grateful  remembrance,  how  that  before  our  first  exercise 
was  ended,  it  began  to  rain,  and  in  the  interval  of  worship, 
there  was  a  very  copious  shower,  in  which  some  of  us  were 
agreeably  wet.     [The  reader  will  notice  how  this  remarkable 


16  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

answer  to  prayer  in  1762  accords  with  a  similar  instance  in 
the  early  history  of  our  country,  which  gave  rise  to  the 
first  Thanksgiving  in  1623.]  And  now  seriously  consider, 
whether  we  should  not  dishonor  and  do  injustice  to  the  Being 
who  has  styled  Himself  a  Prayer-hearing  God,  if  we  should  not 
look  on  that  shower,  to  be  sent  in  answer  to  the  humble  prayer 
of  His  people ;  especially  since  not  only  we,  (among  whom  we 
ought  not  to  imagine  He  is  left  without  a  witness  in  this  respect,) 
but  sundry  neighboring  churches  were  assembled  on  the  same 
day  and  for  the  same  end.  And  when  shall  wo  look  on  any 
mercy  as  coming  in  answer  to  prayer,  if  not  on  this,  I  am  un- 
able to  tell.  And  indeed  in  general,  we  have  reason  to  think, 
that  God  first  disposes  His  people  to  pray  for  particular  bless- 
ings before  He  bestows  them  upon  us.  And  sinners  should 
know,  that  all  the  mercies  which  they  receive  come  to  them  by 
means  of  the  Righteous,  who  are  the  excellent  of  the  Earth  and 
in  a  sort  the  Pillars  and  Props  of  it.  Take  the  Eighteous  out 
of  the  world,  and  what  would  remain?  gather  the  wheat  from 
the  tares,  and  I  ask  of  what  importance  or  significancy  would 
the  remainder  be  ?  So  that  such  as  revile  us  for  trusting  in 
God,  and  for  our  ascribing  to  Him  the  glory  due  for  mercies 
received  in  such  a  manner,  hurt  themselves  more  than  they  do 
us.  We  w ill  joyfully  acknowledge,  and  boast  in  the  agency  of 
Providence  in  all  these  things,  and  look  on  ourselves  bound  in 
duty  to  praise  Him,  as  having  heard  and  answered  our  prayer, 
when  we  had  the  Blessing  immediately  granted,  which  we  were 
enlarged  to  pray  for.  And  as  this  is  the  time  for  our  recounting 
the  rifcrcies  of  the  preceding  year,  this,  it  seems,  should  by  no 
means  be  excluded  from  our  grateful  remembrance,  for  it  is  the 
mercy  without  which  our  hopes  must  have  been  dismally  dark, 
and  our  tables  destitute  of  those  delicious  dainties,  which  may 
this  day  crown  them  and  feed  us.  Oh !  Blessed  be  God,  there 
is  a  Throne  of  Grace  !  And  surely  it  must  make  our  mercies 
doubly  precious,  when  we  consider, 

3d.   That  they  were   granted  in  such  a  manner,  as  rendered 
the   Hand  of  God  remarkably  conspicuous.     We   have  a  long 


barnum's  sermon  in  1762.  17 

time  been  afflicted  with  icar  and  bloodshed ;  but  in  all  our  ad- 
vantages and  victories  gained,  God  has  seen  too  much  of  a  dis- 
position in  us  to  wave  a  consideration  of  His  agency  in  them. 
He  has  seen  it,  I  doubt  not,  with  just  displeasure,  how  we  have 
attributed  it  to  the  conduct  of  our  Generals,  the  courage  of  our 
soldiers,  or  some  human  foresight  and  activity.  But  to  cramp 
our  vain  ambition,  He  has  opened  a  scene  of  a  different  nature. 
He  has  been  scourging  us  with  the  calamity  of  Drought,  in 
which  He  must  appear  to  every  eye  on  the  most  transient  reflec- 
tion to  be  the  sole  agent  in  the  bringing  on,  and  in  the  removal 
of  it.  'Tis  His  sovereign  prerogative  to  command  the  clouds 
that  they  rain  not — 'Tis  His  also,  to  bid  them  dissolve  into  de- 
scending showers.  He  is  the  father  of  the  rain,  and  begets  the 
drops  of  refreshing  dew.  Thus  has  He  been  as  it  were,  dig- 
ging deep  to  hide  pride  from  our  e^es;  for  there  is  nothing 
from  which  human  agency  or  even  human  instrumentality  is 
more  evidently  excluded  than  from  this.  In  this,  vain  is  the 
help  of  man.  This  then  is  wholly  the  Lord's  doing,  and  we 
may  well  say,  it  is  truly  marvellous  in  our  eyes.  To  whom  then 
do  our  praises  belong  for  such  unmerited  relief?  "What  shall 
we  render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  his  benefits?  Benefits  not  only 
dearly  purchased  by  the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God,  but  being 
forfeited,  God  has  seemed,  as  it  were,  again  to  interpose,  and 
secure  them  when  we  were  almost  ready  to  despair.  We  are 
directed  to  pray  that  God  would  give  us  our  daily  bread,  which 
supposes  it  always  to  have  been  His  sov'reign,  unmerited  gift 
—  what  we  can  lay  no  absolute  claim  to.  But  what  shall  be 
said  of  it  now  ?  Certainly  it  appears  more  eminently  His,  and 
the  strength  of  constitution,  the  firmness  of  nerve  which  it  is 
the  means  of  procuring,  we  are  under  peculiar  obligations  to 
devote  to  God.  So  that  it  may  be  said  to  us,  as  to  Israel  in  the 
text — "  When  thou  hast  eaten  and  art  full,  then  thou  shalt 
bless  the  Lord  thy  God  for  the  good  land  which  He  hath  given 
thee." 

Wonderful  as  the  dealing  of  God's  Providenco  has  been,  in 
granting  us,  as  we  would  hope,  a  competency,  though  not  an 
2* 


I 


18  THE   MINISTRY    OF   TACTl 

ce  of  the  ne^:  should  certainly  be  de- 

nt in  our  duty  tins  day,  if  we  failed  to  recognise  the  fav- 
ors of  a  Xational  kind.  "We  may  this  day  with  pleasure  con- 
gratulate each  other  on  the  birth  of  a  Prince, —  one,  whom  we 
ought  to  hope  and  pray  may  be  raised  up  for  a  scourge  to  Pope- 
ry and  a  friend  to  Protestantism.  As  the  praises  of  United 
Nations  have  ascended  for  the  safe   I'.Iiverance  of  our  Ulusiri- 

.  leen  in  the  perils  I .  .nd  for  the  gift  of  a  new 

born  Prince,  so  let  our  inconsiderable  tribute  also  be  paid, 
though  we  despair  of  having  the  foolish  ambitions  gratified, 
which  may  lead  some  to  pour  their  flattery  into  the  Eoyal  ear. 
To  be  devoutly  thankful  for  such  an  important  event  without  an 
human  eye  to  behold,  or  tongue  to  applaud,  gives  the  m 
fined  pleasure.  Let  us  not  forget  to  pay  our  thanks  to  the  King 
:  King  He  has  preserved  our  Earthly  King,  in  the  en- 

joyment of  His  health,  t.  .of  his  virtues  and  the  main- 

tenance of  his  glory.     And  how  can  wi  r  in  silence  the 

renowned  conquest  of  the  Havannah  —  the  opulent  town  and 
almost  impregnable  fortress.  When  first  France  obtained  the 
late  allian:  in,  and  solicited  Portugal  to  join  them  against 

I  Britain,  how  melancholy  then  was  the  pr  b  us  ; 

and  what  i  :he  terror  of  the  juncture  and  even  do 

its  horrors,  was  the  Revolution  —  shall  I  call  it  the  happi 
1  incomparable  Pitt  resigned  the 
:ion  of  i.  livinely  over-ruled, 

learn, 
though  at  the  first  Portugal  :  form 

an  alhane  in  and  Franc.  :  Britain  on  the 

principles  of  Honor  and  Public  Faith,  (having  engaged  to  be 

;•.)  the  two  former  endeavor  to  bribe  her  first;  and  when 
they  found  that  Flattery  in  all  its  forms  was  insufficient  to  pre- 
vail, they  began  to  insult  and  threaten  in  the  most  inhuman  and 
shameful  manr  My  to  th^  i:ig  of 

Portugal  bears,  he  ?  J  Britain, 

and  held  them  sacred  i  I  terrors  of 

ncc.     But  though  Portugal  strenuouO 


in  1762.  19 


we  justly  think  that  the  two  other  powers  were  more  than  a 
match  for  us.  For  we  generally  think  that  men  and  money, 
(where  there  is  enough  of  each, )  are  the  most  essential  articles 
in  War.  "Well,  France,  if  I  may  so  say,  has  more  than  us,  of 
the  one,  and  Spain  an  immensity  of  the  other.  But  regard  the 
works  of  the  Lord,  and  thankfully  consider  the  operation  of 
His  hand.  Spain  is  severely  scourg'cl,  as  we  have  reason  to 
think,  on  account  of  her  unjust  and  quite  needless  alliance  with 
France  against  us  altogether  unprovoked.  The  Havannah  — a 
place  of  very  considerable  strength,  and  otherwise  of  vast  im- 
portance to  Spain,  being  the  key  to  Mexico,  and  a  covert  to 
other  Spanish  settlements  in  South  America,  has  been  wrested 
from  her.  And  though  we  are  not  altogether  without  pain  in 
the  reflection,  that  there  have  been  many  lives  lost,  some  by  the 
sword  and  more  by  the  pestilence,  which  still  continues  to  rage 
there,  yet  we  may  congratulate  each  other  and  bless  the  Lord, 
that  a  most  unnatural  conspiracy  has  been  lately  discovered, 
formed  by  a  Bishop  to  assassinate  all  the  English,  &c.  Not  to 
mention  our  advantages  by  sea,  which  have  not  been  inconsid- 
erable, particularly  the  immense  treasure  found  on  boarding  the 
Hermoine,  &c.  Then  there  is  the  taking  of  Newfoundland,  so 
important  an  acquisition  with  reference  to  our  Fisheries.  Thus 
proud  Lewis  with  his  good  natured  ally,  from  those  towering 
hopes  with  which  they  were  doubtless  inspired,  when  first  their 
covenant  of  Friendship  was  formed,  are  reduced  to  make  almost 
any  shift,  for  the  preservation  of  their  dignity.  Particularly 
the  former  is  brought  to  sue  for  peace.  May  our  Gracious 
Sov'reign  who  is  disposed  to  peace  have  the  wisdom  from  above 
which  may  be  profitable  to  direct  and  over-rule  the  disposition 
so  as  not  to  plight  his  hand  in  friendship  with  such  a  perfidious 
monarch  only  on  terms  honorable  and  glorious  on  our  side,  and 
so  as  to  prevent  any  future  outbreak.  Oh  !  how  bright  do  Bri- 
tain's glories  shine  !  But  let  us  not  boast  as  those  who  are  put- 
ting off  the  harness,  it  may  be  we  are  but  girding  it  on.  The 
Superintending  Providence  which  has  opened  this  joyful  pros- 
pect may  give  us  night  for  day,  may  close  the  scene  of  war  with 


20  TEE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

infamy  and  misery  to  its ;  which  we  shall  be  the  more  ready  to 
believe  vrhen  we  consider  as  proposed, 

2d.  What  reason  we  have  to  fear  that  the  Just  Tribute  of 
Gratitude  will  be  denied  the  Great  Giver  of  every  good  and 
perfect  gift.  It  was  the  hypocritical  character  of  Israel,  that 
though  they  sang  God's  praises,  they  soon  forgat  His  works.  So 
we  find  Moses,  the  Man  of  God,  unwearied  and  abundant  in  his 
admonitions,  and  exhortations  to  them  in  our  text  and  context, 
which  were  so  many  demonstrations  of  his  suspicion  that  they 
would  prove  ungrateful  and  rebellious.  And  why  may  not  / 
reasonably  be  jealous  over  you  with  a  godly  jealousy  ?  Is  there 
no  danger  of  your  being  ungrateful  ?  Has  your  conduct  in  the 
general  been  such  as  would  justify  the  laying  aside  my  fear  ? 
Oh !  that  there  were  less  cause  for  my  fear  and  jealousy  over 
you  !  The  general  reason  why  I  think  there  is  danger  of  your 
ingratitude,  after  having  had  such  signal  kindnesses  granted,  13 
founded  on  the  practice  of  the  Jews.  That  people  were  highly 
favored  of  the  Lord  by  wonders,  and  signs  and  mighty  works, 
and  yet  ungrateful.  Human  nature  being  all  of  a  piece  the 
world  over  and  in  all  generations,  I  suppose  I  have  reason  to 
fear  the  same  of  you.  For  they  had  much  stronger  motives  to 
Thanksgiving  and  praise  than  you  have  had  —  excepting  tho 
crowning  motive,  which  alas!  is  overlooked,  despised  and  set  at 
naught  by  far  too  many  of  you  —  Need  I  mention  it  to  you? 
The  Son  of  God  dying  on  a  Cross  of  Love  —  and  with  tk\s  pe- 
culiar circumstance  does  God  commend,  His  Love,  that  whilo 
we  were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us.  Hence  should  our 
warmest  gratitude  arise — hence  our  faith  —  our  hope  —  our 
Love  should  spontaneously  spring.  "What  are  all  the  necessa- 
ries of  Life,  though  procured  in  a  manner  Divinely  Glorious 
(as  ours  are)  compared  to  this  mysterious,  incomparable  Dis- 
play of  Divine  Love  !  What  are  the  supplies  of  a  mortal  life 
compared  to  the  cordials  of  an  immortal  soul!  And  yet  has 
not  this  motive  been  too  much  forgotten  when  it  shoidd  be  the 
foremost?  For  Christ  is  the  Great  Procurer  of  these  mercies 
we  are  this  day  celebrating,  and  can  wc  pretend  a  sincere  grat- 


BARNDM'a  SERMON  IX  1TG2.  21 

itude  for  them,  while  all  His  charm?,  and  riches  of  Fullness  are 
neglected  ?  And  can  we  give  you  any  other  character  but  that 
of  neglecters  of  Christ,  while  you  profane  His  Day,  pollute  His 
"Worship,  neglect  His  ordinances,  and  run  counter  to  His  known 
commands  !  Oh  !  my  friends,  do  not  the  consciences  of  many 
of  you  at  least,  testify  against  you  this  day  that  you  are  verily 
guilty  before  God,  and  at  the  same  time  testify  to  the  truth  of 
what  I  am  endeavoring  to  prove — that  we  have  reason  to  fear 
that  the  just  tribute  of  Gratitude  will  be  denied  the  Great  Giv- 
er of  every  good  and  perfect  gift. 

Having  thus  finished  what  was  proposed,  I  shall  close  with  a 
brief  application.  And  as  this  is  the  day,  in  which  we  do  in  a 
peculiar  sense  eat,  and  are  fitted,  so  we  should  remember  to 
bless  God  for  the  good  land  and  the  wholesome  productions  of 
it,  with  which  we  are  favored.  As  this  is  the  Day,  in  which  we 
commonly  have  our  tables  furnished,  so  far  as  we  conveniently 
can,  not  only  with  the  necessaries,  but  also  with  the  Dainties 
and  Delicacies  of  Life,  as  a  kind  of  solemn  sacrifice,  and  wit- 
ness to  God  of  the  reality,  sincerity  and  fervency  of  our  Grati- 
tude for  His  undeserved  Benignity  the  past  year,  so  wo  ought 
to  consider  that  this  Being  will  not  bear  to  be  trifled  with  for- 
ever, and  that  He  loves  the  sacrifice  of  a  broken  heart  and  a 
contrite  spirit. 

A  word  to  Sinners  and  Saints. 

1.  Sinners,  I  would  this  day  charge  you,  as  Moses  did  Israel, 
"  When  thou  hast  eaten  and  art  full,  then  thou  shalt  bless  the 
Lord  thy  God  for  the  good  land  which  He  hath  given  thee." 
Let  a  full  stomach  and  a  warm  back  (if  I  may  be  allowed  so 
homely  an  expression,)  inspire  sentiments  of  Gratitude  instead 
of  increasing  the  stupidity  which  is  your  shame  and,  your  mis- 
cry.  Let  me  charge  you,  that  you  grow  not  wanton,  and  Jesh- 
urun-like  kick  against  the  Goodness  of  the  Lord — you'll  find  it 
hard  to  kick  against  the  pricks.  I  charge  you  that  an  immedi- 
ate check  be  put  to  your  vain  merriment,  your  unhallowed  joy 
which  now  perhaps  you  are  flushed  with  the  hope  of  pursuing. 
I  charge  you  by  Him  on  whose  bounty  you  feed,  from  whose 
vesture  you  are  clothed,  and  whose  are  all  your  ways — I  charge 


22  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

you  by  the  dying  agonies  of  the  Savior,  at  whose  expense  you 
live  in  such  comfort  and  plenty,  and  (what  is  still  more  worthy 
our  notice.)  at  whose  rich  expense  you  have  all  the  various  im- 
pressions, whereby  you  arc  ready  to  cry  out,  what  shall  I  do  to 
be  saved — I  charge  you  by  the  tremendous  power,  which  you 
are  seeming  to  be  at  pains  to  provoke,  not  to  turn  these  blessings 
which  we  this  day  celebrate  into  curses;  and  indeed  they  must 
be  curses  to  you  who  pervert  them  to  the  horrid  purpose  of  re- 
bellion and  ingratitude.  I  charge  you  by  the  rod  of  God  which 
i.^  still  hanging  over  you,  with  respect  to  the  judgments  which 
are  abroad  in  the  Earth.  May  God  deal  with  us  better  than 
our  fears !  Though  now  perhaps  you  may  enjoy  a  firmness  of 
health,  yet  He  who  has  disease  and  health,  who  has  death  and 
life  at  His  command,  may  with  infinite  ease  command  the  one  to 
depart,  and  the  other  to  take  its  place.  And  who  can  tell  but 
this  is  the  last  Thanksgiving  which  you  shall  see — I  mean  such 
of  you  as  are  putting  off  the  thought*  of  death,  and  imagine 
this  or  that  neighbor  will  go  first.  How  many  have  been  mis- 
taken so.  And  indeed  these  may  be  the  very  last  warnings  you 
will  ever  hear  from  me  or  from  this  desk.  I  may  be  called  to 
visit  you  soon  on  a  dying  bed  and  follow  you  to  your  long 
home.  And  can  there  be  any  thing  more  terrible  than  to  die  in 
your  sinsV  Yes,  Sinner,  I  can  tell  you  of  one  thing  more  dread- 
ful than  immediate  death  and  immediate  damnation.  The  Bles- 
sed God  may  say  —  as  for  the  wretched  creature,  who  has  so 
long  abused  my  Grace  and  compassion,  let  him  still  live  —  let 
him  live  in  the  midst  of  prosperity  and  plenty — let  him  live 
under  the  purest  and  most  powerful  ordinances  too,  only  to 
abuse  them,  to  aggravate  his  condemnation,  and  die  under 
seven-fold  .£uilt  and  a  seven-fold  curse.  I  will  not  ehre  him 
grace  to  think  of  his  ways  —  he  may  go  on  from  bad  to  worse, 
till  death  shall  come  and  do  its  dreadful  work.  Alas  !  to  be 
left  thus  reprobate  and  insensible  in  time,  is  if  possible  more 
dreadful  than  the  damnation  of  eternity  V* 

The  author  had  designed  an  address  to  Saints,  but  I  do  not 
find  it  in  his  ms.  His  pen  here  rested,  as  he  does  now,  and  for 
nearhf  a  century  has  rested  from  his  labors. 


barnum's  sermon  in  1769.  28 


Note  B.     Page  4. 

The  sermon  preached  in  Taunton,  by  Mr.  Barnum,  the  first 
Sabbath  after  his  Installation,  that  is,  Feb.  5,  1769,  is  still  in 
existence.  It  is  from  the  text  found  in  n.  Cor.  5:  20,  "Now 
then,  we  are  ambassadors  for  Christ,  as  though  God  did  beseech 
you  by  us  ;  we  pray  you  in  Christ's  stead,  be  ye  reconciled  to 
God." 

The  application  or  "improvement"  of  the  doctrine  of  the 
discourse  which  he  discusses  fully,  is  as  follows  :  "  1.  Is  it  as 
we  have  heard,  my  brethren,  —  hence  then  learn  how  laborious 
a  work  is  the  work  of  the  ministry.  They  have  to  entreat  you 
again  and  again,  perishing  sinners,  to  be  reconciled  to  God,  and 
though  they  remain  stupid  and  careless,  we  are  to  follow  the 
suit, — we  are  to  stem  the  torrent,  —  swim  against  the  tide, 
however  strong  and  powerful  it  is.  Oh,  let  your  prayers  and 
cries  to  heaven  for  me  never  cease.  As  I  am  now  well  assured 
of  all  the  assistance  you  can  give,  so  let  me  ever  be.  What  a 
kind  alleviation  of  other  numerous  discouragements  will  this  be. 
Brethren,  pray  for  us,  that  we  may  not  faint  or  flag  at  the  many 
difficulties  we  have  to  encounter,  but  that  we  may  find  the  grace 
of  God  abundantly  sufficient  for  us,  that  we  may  be  faithful  and 
successful  in  the  Lord's  work. 

2.  Are  God  and  man  at  variance,  and  is  God  willing  to  be 
reconciled  to  us,  and  yet  we  backward  to  be  reconciled  to  him  ? 
What  reason  have  we  to  abhor  ourselves  for  the  obstinacy  and 
pride  of  our  hearts !  How  undutiful  are  we  to  our  rightful 
sovereign  !  How  ungrateful  and  abusive  to  our  greatest  bene- 
factor !  What !  at  enmity  with  God  and  persist  in  it,  though 
he  has  formed,  and  nourished  and  brought  us  up,  and  is  contin- 
ually loading  us  with  his  mercies  and  urging  us  by  his  ambassa- 
dors to  be  reconciled  to  God  through  Christ,  and  to  enjoy  an 
everlasting  friendship  !  Who  of  us  can  seriously  consider  on 
such  ingratitude  as  this  without  the  deepest  shame  and  confusion? 
Oh  sinner,  stand  and  wonder  you  are  not  consumed  ! 


24  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

3.  Learn  to  live  a  considerate  and  prayerful  life — think  often 
of  your  present  wretchedness  out  of  Christ  —  let  these  things 
lie  with  weight  on  your  minds  till  you  feel  yourselves  undone 
creatures ;  nor  rest  content  till  you  are  reconciled  to  God  by 
the  conquering  power  of  his  grace.  And  as  you  are  by  the 
Providence  of  God  given  to  me  as  my  beloved  charge  in  the 
Lord,  and  I  to  you  as  an  overseer  and  watchman  and  an  ambas- 
sador for  Christ,  I  would  now  address  you  as  the  people  of  my 
charge  according  to  your  different  and  respective  classes. 

I.  In  the  first  place  I  would  turn  myself  to  you,  my  honoured 
fathers  and  mothers,  and  would  speak  with  all  that  filial  respect 
which  is  due  from  me  to  you,  while  I  remember  my  office  as  an 
ambassador  for  Christ.  You  have  been  inhabitants  of  this  stage 
of  action  perhaps  fifty,  sixty  or  seventy  years.  You  have  seen 
many  a  new  and  surprising  scene  both  of  joy  and  sorrow,  but 
cannot  expect  to  be  the  spectators  of  many  more.  Your  glass  of 
probation  is  near  an  end,  a  few  steps  more  will  bring  you  to  your 
journey's  end.  If  God  should  be  pleased  to  lengthen  out  my 
life  to  but  a  few  years,  I  shall  expect  to  visit  you  on  a  dying- 
bed,  and  what  shall  I  say  or  do  to  give  you  comfort  then,  if  you 
neglect  a  reconciliation  to  God  now.  It  behoves  you  to  watch 
and  pray,  lest  you  let  slip  one  moment  of  time  given  you  for 
the  purposes  of  religion.  Are  any  of  you  settled  on  a  false 
foundation,  and  dreaming  }rou  are  going  to  heaven,  whereas  you 
are  in  fact  travelling  the  downward  road  ?  Is  your  heart  on 
things  above  or  below  ?  Do  you  daily  meditate  with  sweet  de- 
light on  God  and  Divine  things  ?  Do  you'  love  the  service  of 
God  here  and  find  yourselves  maturing  for  a  better  world  ?  Let 
me  solemnly  charge  you  as  in  the  name  and  fear  of  God  that 
you  take  diligent  heed  to  secure  the  one  thing  needful  before 
death  overtake  you,  which  to  the  eye  of  reason  is  just  at  hand. 
You  may  observe  the  decays  of  nature  in  every  withered  limb — 
all  this  is  sure  evidence  of  your  approaching  dissolution.  Oh, 
that  you  might  profit  the  little  while  you  may  live  under  my 
ministry,  so  that  I  may  be  a  happy  instrument  of  increasing 
your  eternal  gains.     'Tis  hopeful,  many  of  you  have  arrived  to 


barnum's  sermon  in  1769.  25 

uncommon  degrees  of  grace  as  you  have  been  permitted  to  ar- 
rive to  an  unusual  age.  Oh  that  as  you  feel  the  decays  of  the 
outer  man,  so  your  inner  man  might  grow  stronger  and  stronger 
through  the  grace  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  —  and  when  tho 
king  of  terrors  shall  arrest  you,  may  he  serve  as  a  friendly  mes- 
senger to  waft  you  from  this  dusky  twilight  to  a  brighter  day, 
and  may  the  happy  influence  of  your  prayers  for  me  appear  vis- 
ible in  the  success  of  my  ministry  when  you  are  sleeping  in  the 
dust. 

II.  Now  I  would  turn  myself  to  you  who  are  commonly  call- 
ed middle-aged.  You,  my  friends,  have  visited  the  gayest 
scenes  of  life,  and  are  carried  clear  beyond  the  days  of  youth, 
you  have  perhaps  spent  many  years  in  gaining  an  estate,  and 
let  me  put  the  question  :  —  Among  all  your  gettings  have  you 
got  wisdom  and  understanding,  i.  e.,  to  know  the  fear  of  the 
Lord  ?  A  moderate  care  after  the  world  is  laudable,  when  we 
keep  our  consciences  void  of  offence  towards  God  and  man. 
But  without  a  comfortable  hope  of  our  reconciliation  to  God, 
one  would  be  ready  to  think  a  rational  creature  could  not  take 
the  comfort  in  the  world  he  otherwise  might :  —  this  will  sweeten 
all  and  every  mercy,  and  as  an  ambassador  of  Christ,  I  would  now 
pray  you  above  all  things  else  to  see  to  it  that  you  are  reconciled 
to  God.  See  to  it,  that  you  love  Christ  above  father,  mother, 
wife  or  child,  and  as  you  would  hope  to  profit  under  the  means 
of  grace  dispensed  by  the  instrument  you  have  chosen,  let  your 
eyes  be  constantly  turned  to  God  for  the  preparation  of  your 
heart  to  receive,  as  mine  to  give  —  and  the  blessing  of  God  to 
attend  my  labors  in  the  various  distribution  of  them.  And  as 
we  hope  your  former  worthy  pastor  whose  memory  is,  and  always 
will  be  precious  to  you,  was  made  an  instrument  of  the  conver- 
sion of  any  of  you,  so  I  may  be  honoured  as  an  unworthy  in- 
strument for  your  further  progress  in  grace  and  holiness.  Breth- 
ren pray  for  me  ! 

III.  I  would  say  a  word  or  two  to  those  who  are  in  the  prime 
and  bloom  of  youth.  My  young  friends,  I  can  say  to  you  of 
my  age,  as  the  Apostle  said  to  those  of  his  nation,  my  ear- 

3 


86  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUXTOX. 

nest  desire  and  prayer  to  God  is  that  you  may  be  profited  by 
the  means  dispensed  by  me.  As  you  are  now  in  the  bloom  of 
youth,  and  you  prosper  in  life  and  health — Oh  that  your  souls 
may  above  all  prosper  and  that  you  might  remember  your  Crea- 
tor. You  will  by  and  by  be  in  places  of  trust  and  influence, 
when  these  seats  shall  be  emptied  of  our  fathers,  and  they  sleep- 
ing in  the  grave.  Oh,  to  be  qualified  by  the  grace  of  God. 
Oh,  that  we  might  go  hand  in  hand  in  religion — that  you  may 
grow  up  all  Nazaritcs  in  whom  there  is  no  guile.  Now  is  a  gra- 
cious opportunity  to  be  reconciled  to  God  through  Christ.  See 
that  you  receive  the  message  by  the  messenger  God  has  sent 
you.  Be  assured  that  you  are  my  hope  for  the  prosperity  of 
the  next  generation.  Oh,  that  I  may  not  be  deceived.  Oh, 
that  God  would  early  sanctify  you,  that  we  may  see  the  pleasure 
of  the  Lord  prospering  whenever  our  fathers  are  dead  and  gone. 
Oh,  that  our  hearts  may  be  knit  together  like  David's  and  Jon- 
athan's and  we  sec  many  happy  years  together.  In  order  to 
this,  as  an  ambassador  of  Christ,  and  as  though  God  did  be- 
seech you  by  me,  I  pray  you  in  Christ's  name,  be  ye  reconciled 
to  God. 

IV.  I  would  address  myself  to  the  little  children  of  the  con- 
gregation. Bo  assured,  dear  children,  I  look  on  you  as  no  con- 
temptible part  of  my  charge.  You  have  immortal  souls  to  save 
or  to  lose  as  well  as  any  of  us  ;  and  do  you  know  that  wicked 
children  must  go  to  hell  ?  and  you  are  all  so,  and  must  share 
this  portion,  except  you  come  to  Christ  for  life.  The  great  God 
has  sent  me  to  warn  and  invite  you  —  and  see  to  it,  that  you 
obey.  Don't  rest  easy  without  praying  to  God  for  his  pardon- 
ing mercy,  and  that  he  would  reconcile  you  to  Himself;  and  if 
you  don't  know  how,  ask  your  parents  to  teach  you.  They'll 
gladly  embrace  the  opportunity — so  that  you  may  go  to  heaven. 
And  do  you  remember  always  to  pray  for  me,  when  you  pray 
for  yourselves.  And  you  who  arc  of  a  different  complexion 
from  us,  I  also  count  as  part  of  my  charge,  and  do  now  solemn- 
ly exhort  you  to  be  reconciled  to  God.  You  arc  ready  to  think 
your  lot  is  hard — but  what  is  it  compared  to  slavery  to  sin  and 


barnum's  sermon  in  1775.  27 

I  conclude  with  a  word  to  this  whole  assembly  of  sinners . 
I've  come,  ye  dear  people  of  my  charge,  as  an  Ambassador  of 
Christ  to  you,  and  would  now  in  his  name  and  stead,  pray  you 
to  be  reconciled  to  God.  We  would  preach  the  terrors  of  the 
Lord  as  means  suitable  to  alarm  and  convince  you  of  your  need 
of  a  Saviour,  and  we  would  set  before  you  the  invitations  of  the 
Gospel,  and  the  grace,  beauties  and  glories  of  the  Divine  Em- 
manuel, that  you  through  the  power  and  grace  of  God,  may  be 
willing  to  be  reconciled  to  him  through  Christ.  But  be  assured 
if  you  continue  to  refuse  you  must  perish.  A  faithful  and  true 
witness  has  declared  with  his  own  mouth,  "  he  that  believes  not 
shall  be  damned."  Oh,  how  can  you  bear  to  lie  under  the 
dreadful  wrath  of  the  great  and  terrible  God  in  the  flames  of 
hell,  without  one  drop  of  water  to  cool  your  scorched  tongues  • 
Then  rest  not  in  your  present  condition,  and  though  you  must 
take  all  possible  pains  in  religion,  read,  hear,  pray,  meditate 
and  strive  with  all  vigor  and  earnestness — yet  don't  depend  on 
that,  or  think  that  God  is  obliged  in  the  least  to  save  you  on  that 
account — but  might  justly  cast  you  off  forever.  Come  there- 
fore as  a  needy,  guilty,  perishing  beggar  to  a  full,  glorious  and 
all-sufficient  Christ,  who  is  most  ready  and  willing  to  save  you. 
If  any  one  thirst,  let  him  come  to  Christ  and  drink.  Oh,  don't 
delay :  Thousands  have  been  ruined  that  way.  Hear  the  Lord's 
voice  to-day,  — submit  and  be  reconciled  forever." 

Note  C.     Page  5. 

One  of  the  sermons  in  my  possession,  was  preached  probably 
not  long  before  Mr.  Barnum  left  Taunton  for  the  field  of  battle, 
and  after  the  commencement  of  hostilities.  It  is  founded  on 
the  declaration  of  Paul  to  the  chief  captain,  (Acts  22:  28,) 
"  But  I  was  freeborn."  Under  the  head  of  ''Improvement," 
he  remarks : 

"1st.  If  our  civil  rights  and  Privileges  are  so  precious  as  we 
have  heard,  it  will  then  follow,  that  to  be  deprived  of  them,  is 
a  very  great  judgment  of  Heaven. 


28  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

"2d.  Since  the  Apostle  Paul  insisted  on  the  enjoyment  of 
those  civil  rights  as  a  Roman  -which  were  infringed  upon,,  we 
are  taught  our  duty  in  the  like  situations."  I  am  tempted  to 
quote  what  he  says  on  this  point.  "It  is  our  duty  to  claim 
those  charter  privileges,  which  have  been  injuriously  diminish- 
ed. It  is  matter  of  joy  that  the  united  body  of  this  people  have 
had  the  resolution  and  fortitude  to  enter  their  claims  and  still  to 
keep  them  up.  Tamely  and  meanly  to  have  crouched  to  the 
Burdens  would  have  been  undervaluing  the  Blessings  of  Prov- 
idence, and  it  would  have  been  an  affront  to  the  God,  who  at 
first  gave  these  rights,  and  has  carefully  preserved  them  to  us. 
What  the  patriotic  Mr.  Pitt  (now  Lord  Chatham)  said  on  hear- 
ing that  the  Stamp  Act  was  opposed  here,  is  truly  memorable 
and  applicable  to  the  present  case.  '  I  rejoice  that  America 
has  resisted.'  But  while  I  say  this,  justice  requires  that  we 
condemn  the  lofty  strains  of  triumph,  of  menacing  —  the  base 
inflammatory  pieces,  which  we  sometimes  hear  and  read  in  our 
newspapers,  and  the  base  reflections  ou  the  persons  and  charac- 
ters of  such  as  deserve  well  of  all,  for  aught  that  appears;  so 
irritating  and  offensive  to  authority  that  methinks  a  sober  man 
must  have  been  sometimes  at  a  loss  to  conclude  whether  this 
good  cause  of  ours  suffers  most  from  the  weakness,  and  impru- 
dence of  its  friends,  or  the  open  attacks,  and  secret  machina- 
tions of  its  enemies.  There  is  a  sort  of  dignity  and  energy  in 
Truth  and  Right  which  stand  in  no  need  of  fraud  or  injustice 
to  support  it,  but  will  of  their  own  native  tendency  rise  superi- 
or to  all  opposition.  Injustice,  scurrility,  and  abuse  always 
give  just  suspicion  of  the  goodness  of  the  cause,  which  they  are 
intended  to  aid.  Moreover  to  do  thus  is  to  be  guilty  of  the 
self  same  thing,  which  we  complain  of  in  others.  Christianity 
allows  us  not  to  render  evil  for  evil,  but  good  for  evil.  We  had 
better  suffer  in  a  good  cause,  than  take  any  undue  method  to 
extricate  ourselves.  To  do  evil  that  good  may  come  is  a  maxim 
abhorrent  to  the  Bible  and  utterly  subversive  of  all  common 
Native  Justice.  No  sober  Christian  can  consistently  with  his 
character  admit  one  single  step  of  Injustice  in  order  to  relieve 


barnum's  sermon  in  1775.  29 

from  the  greatest  distresses.  Better  die  than  sin;  and  to  oppose 
Eiders  ruling  tuell,  and  keeping  within  the  bounds  of  the  Con- 
stitution, is  to  oppose  the  ordinance  of  God.  It  is  a  crime  of 
the  first  magnitude.  But  to  oppose  such  as  violate  their  trust, 
is  so  far  from  being  opposition  to  the  ordinance  of  God,  that  it 
is  directly  the  reverse  of  it.  It  i3  resisting  a  Violation  of  tho 
ordinance." 

The  Preacher  proceeds  to  caution  his  hearers  however  against 
a  too  keen  resentment  of  the  injuries  done.  He  would  havo 
their  "zeal  tempered  with  prudence."  lie  would  have  them 
"  take  their  steps  slowly,  that  they  tread  the  more  surely.  Itash- 
ncss  and  precipitancy  are  frequently  attended  with  disappoint- 
ment. "  And  he  closes  his  discourse  with  urging  his  hearers 
to  think  especially  of  the  Precious  Liberty  of  the  Gospel  which 
Christ  hath  obtained  for  them  at  an  incalculably  precious  price. 
I  have  thus  largely  quoted  from  this  Discourse,  that  you  might 
see  the  prudence  and  wisdom  of  this  Christian  patriot,  who  at 
last  laid  himself  upon  the  altar  of  his  Country's  liberty,  and 
became  one  of  the  immortal  martyrs  of  the  Revolution. 
3* 


30  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 


CHAPTER  II. 

REV.    ELIAS   JONES,   THE    EIGHTH   MINISTER   OF   TAUNTON. 

The  successor  of  Mr.  Bamum,  in  the  ministry  of  Taun- 
ton, was  Mr.  Elias  Jones.  Mr.  Baylies  says  of  him:  "he 
was  a  young  man  of  prepossessing  manners,  and  address, 
and  fine  talents  for  the  pulpit."  I  have  heard  some  of 
the  aged  men  remark,  that  their  fathers  told  them,  "Mr. 
Jones  was  one  of  the  most  able  ministers  they  ever  heard 
preach."  The  action  of  the  church  in  giving  him  a  call 
to  settle  with  them,  has  recently  come  to  light,  as  also  the 
proceedings  of  the  ordaining  Council. 

"  Taunton,  April  15th,  177T. 

At  a  church  meeting  duly  warned,  to  know  the  mind  of 
the  brethren  with  regard  to  giving  Mr.  Elias  Jones  a  call 
to  settle  with  them  in  the  Gospel  ministry,  the  brethren 
met  accordingly,  and  after  looking  up  to  Almighty  God 
for  direction,  Rev.  Mr.  Niles  of  Abington,  being  Provi- 
dentially present,  the  following  votes  were  passed : 

1.  That  Rev.  Mr.  Niles  be  Moderator  of  this  meeting. 

2.  The  question  was  put,  whether  the  brethren  be  ready 
to  give  a  call  to  any  gentleman  to  settle  with  them  in  said 
work?     Passed  in  the  affirmative  unanimously. 

3.  "Whether  it  be  the  mind  of  the  brethren  to  elect  Mr. 
Elias  Jones  to  settle  with  them  in  said  work  ?  Passed  in 
the  affirmative  unanimouslv. 


ELIAS  JONES.  31 


4.  Whether  they  would  choose  a  Committee  to  serve 
Mr.  Jones  with  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  said  meet- 
ing?    Passed  in  the  affirmative. 

5.  Voted,  that  Deacon  Williams,  Capt.  Henry  Hodges, 
and  Mr.  Mory  be  said  Committee. 

6.  Whether  a  Committee  be  chosen  to  petition  the  Se- 
lectmen to  call  a  Town  meeting  to  see  whether  they  will 
concur  with  the  vote  of  the  church  in  the  election  of  Mr. 
Jones,  and  to  see  what  encouragement  they  will  give  him? 
Passed  in  the  affirmative." 

It  is  concluded,  that  the  Town  concurred,  since  the  fol- 
lowing minutes  of  the  Council,  called  to  assist  in  ordaining 
Mr.  Jones,  in  the  hand-writing  of  Rev.  Dr.  Fobes,  of 
Raynham,  Scribe  of  the  Council,  have  recently  come  into 
my  hands. 

"At  the  request  of  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Taunton, 
the  Pastors  with  the  Delegates  of  seven  neighboring 
churches,  convened  at  the  house  of  Benjamin  Williams, 
Esq.,  in  said  Taunton,  Oct.  22, 1777,  formed  into  a  Coun- 
cil, and  after  prayer  to  God  for  direction,  proceeded  to 
enquire  into  the  conduct  of  said  church,  relative  to  their 
calling  and  ordaining  Mr.  Elias  Jones  to  the  work  of  the 
Gospel  ministry  among  them.  On  which  occasion,  were 
passed  the  following  votes : 

1.  That  Rev.  Mr.  Shaw  be  the  Moderator  of  the  Coun- 
cil. 

2.  That  Peres  Fobes  be  the  Scribe  of  said  Council. 

3.  That  Mr.  Jones'  relation  to  the  church  of  Christ  in 
Halifax,  in  Nova  Scotia,  which  could  not  be  transferred, 
by  a  regular  dismission  and  recommendation,  as  usual, 
should  by  reason  of  the  times,*  be  dispensed  with ;  provid- 

*  It  being  a  time  of  war. 


TIIE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 


ed,  the  church  voted  before  the  Council,  his  reception  as 
a  member  of  them,  and  accordingly  it  was  done. 

4.  That  Mr.  Jones,  upon  examination  before  the  Coun- 
cil, was  duly  qualified  for  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry. 

5.  That  Mr.  Shaw  should  give  him  the  Charge. 

6.  That  Rev.  Mr.  Tobey  give  the  Right  Hand  of  Fel- 
lowship. 

7.  That  Rev.  Messrs.  Turner  and  "Williams  make  the 
usual  prayers  upon  that  occasion.  And  agreeable  to  these 
votes,  and  determinations  of  said  Council,  Mr.  Jones  was 
that  day  ordained  over  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Taunton. 
A  Sermon  suited  to  the  occasion  being  first  preached  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Niles  of  Abington. 

True  copy  by 

Peres  Fobes,  Scribe." 
Mr.  Jones,  it  would  seem,  came  from  Halifax,  in  Nova 
Scotia.  There  was  a  graduate  of  Yale  College  in  1767, 
bearing  his  name,  but  whether  it  was  the  minister  of 
Taunton,  I  know  not.  His  ministry  was  short.  The  only 
document  which  sheds  light  on  the  time  of  his  leaving 
Taunton,  is  the  Report*  of  a  Committee  appointed  by  the 
Town  to  supply  the  pulpit  after  his  dismission,  which  doc- 
ument renders  it  probable  that  it  occurred  in  1778,  the 
year  following  his  settlement.  All  that  we  know  concern- 
ing the  cause  of  that  dismission  is  the  brief  statement  of  a 
writer,  supposed  to  be  Mr.  Baylies,  in  a  Taunton  paper 
many  years  since.  "  He  fell  into  error ,f  and  was  con- 
strained to  ask  a  dismission  after  a  very  short  residence. 
His  farewell  sermon  is  said  to  have  been  written  in  a  style 
of  touching  eloquence,  and  the  manner  in  which  he  read 
the  Psalm,  commencing — 

*  Note  A. 

t  Some  moral  delinquency,  it  has  been  said. 


ELIAS   JONES.  33 


'  Have  pity,  Lord ;  O  Lord,  forgive ; 
Let  a  repenting  sinner  live,' 

drew  tears  from  every  eye." 

Nothing  is  known  concerning  Mr.  Jones,  after  lie  left 
Taunton.  It  has  been  reported  that  he  went  "  up  coun- 
try. "  And  some  have  said  that  he  turned  his  course  to 
Virginia. 

The  brief  ministry  of  the  eighth  minister  of  Taunton  is 
not  without  its  profitable  lessons.  It  speaks  volumes  in 
praise  of  a  sound,  discriminating,  truth-loving  church, 
which,  the  very  moment  its  minister  "fell  into  error" 
(whatever  that  "error"  may  have  been)  was  willing  to 
part  with  him,  although  confessedly  an  amiable,  accom- 
plished, able  man,  showing  thereby  a  most  commendable 
preference  for  truth  over  error,  and  its  fixed  determination 
to  put  principles  before  men. 


APPENDIX  TO  CHAPTER  SECOND. 


Note  A.     Page  32. 

"  Taunton,  JunelM,  1780. 

"  The  Committee  chosen  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  pul- 
pit with  candidates  for  the  ministry  in  said  Town,  since  the  dis- 
mission  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Elias  Jones,  ask  leave  to  report  in  the. 
following  maimer  : 

' '  That  sundry  persons  have  been  employed  by  them  from  the 
25th  of  July,*  for  and  until  the  Twenty- eighth  day  of  May, 
1780.  During  which  time,  your  Committee  have  paid  and  en- 
gaged to  pay  said  candidates  for  their  services,  boarding,  horse- 
keeping,  &c.,  the  sum  of  Two  thousand,  five  hundred  eighty- 
five  pounds,  five  shillings  ;  part  of  which  we  received  of.  said 
Town,  to  wit,  Twelve  hundred,  sixty-six  pounds,  one  shilling. 
Your  Committee  further  report,  that  part  of  the  aforesaid  sum 
has  been  taxed,  raised  and  applycd  for  the  discharge  of  the 
debts  aforesaid,  and  said  inhabitants  are  still  in  arrears,  the  sum 
of  Thirteen  hundred,  nineteen  pounds,  four  shillings.  And  re- 
port, as  their  opinion,  that  the  last  mentioned  sum  be  voted,  and 
the  assessors  be  ordered  to  tax  the  same,  agreeable  to  law,  as 
soon  as  may  be.  Above  report  accepted  (or  one  similar)  June 
26th,  1780." 

*  Of  what  year  die  Committee  do  not  say ;  but  judging  from  the 
sum  paid  for  supplies,  it  was  probably  1 778. 


i/Jt/ravrrvJudfcrrv 


EPimAIM  JUDSON.  35 


CHAPTER  III. 

REV.    EPHRAIM  JUDSON,   THE   NINTH  MINISTER   OF 
TAUNTON. 

For  nearly  tixo  years  after  the  removal  of  Mr.  Jones, 
there  was  a  vacancy  in  the  Pastoral  office.  Of  the  "  sun- 
dry persons  employed  as  candidates,"  to  whom  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  Town  refer  in  their  Report,  appended  to  the 
last  chapter,  none  received,  or  receiving,  accepted  a  call 
to  settle.  Rev.  Ephraim  Judson  was  Installed,  according 
to  Mr.  Baylies,  in  1780 ;  but  in  what  month  of  the  year, 
no  Records  remain  to  inform  us.  Mr.  Judson  was  the 
ninth  minister  of  the  town.  He  was  a  native  of  Wood- 
bury, Conn.;  from  which  town,  through  the  kindness  of 
William  Cothren,  Esq.,  I  have  received  the  following  gen- 
eological  account  of  the  Judson  family.* 

*  In  the  mouth  of  May,  I  directed  a  letter  to  the  Town  Clerk  of 
Woodbury,  Ct.,  who  sent  the  17th  of  June,  the  following  reply: 

'•Dear  Sir:  Yours  of  the  31st  ult.  came  to  me,  after  being'  examin- 
ed by  some  of  our  ministers,  by  due  course  of  mail.  Our  ancient  Rec- 
ords of  Births,  Marriages  and  Deaths  have  no  Index,  and  were  put 
down  promiscuously.  It  would  seem  that  they  were  recorded,  not  as 
they  occurred,  but  when  those  concerned  happened  to  think  of  it,  or 
chose  to  do  it.  After  examining  a  few  hours,  and  not  coming  to  any- 
thing you  wanted,  I  went  to  William  Cothren,  Esq.,  who  lias  gone  into 
an  extended  examination  of  these  Records,  and  arranged  in  some  order 
the  different  names  by  themselves,  and  requested  him  to  give  your  re- 
quired answers.  I  think  you  can  depend  on  his  statement.  He  is  get- 
ting up  an  extended  account  of  the  Judson  name.        Yours,  &c, 

Elijah  Sherman." 

In  the  communication  from  Mr.  Cothren,  he  remarks:  "The  facts 


36  TIIE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

William  Judson  came  from  Yorkshire,  England,  in 
1634,  with  his  family.  He  had  three  sons,  viz:  Joseph, 
Jeremiah,  and  Joshua.  He  lived  four  years  at  Concord, 
and  removed  thence  to  Stratford,  where  he  lived  upon  the 
South-west  corner  of  a  hill,  called  "Meeting-house  Hill." 
He  did  not  reside  there  long,  but  went  thence  to  New- 
Haven,  where  he  died  in  1660.  He  probably  had  a 
daughter  living  there. 

Joseph,  the  eldest  son  of  William  Judson,  was  fifteen 
years  of  age  when  his  father  came  to  Xew-England.  He 
lived  at  Concord  four  years,  removed  thence  to  Stratford, 
married  in  1614,  and  in  his  twenty-fifth  year,  Sarah, 
daughter  of  John  Porter  of  Windsor,  she  being  eighteen 
years  of  age.  They  had  eleven  children,  four  sons,  and 
seven  daughters.  The  father  died  Oct.  9th,  1690,  and 
the  mother,  March  16th,  1696.  Their  eldest  son,  John, 
was  born  March  10th,  1647.  He  married  in  1673,  Eliz- 
abeth Chapman  of  Stamford,  and  was  again  married,  July 
5th,  1699,  to  Mrs.  Mary  Orton  of  Farmington.  He  lived 
first  at  Stratford,  where  his  father  lived,  and  had  there 
three  children.  He  thence  removed  to  Woodbury,  where 
he  died  in  1710.  He  was  the  father  of  thirteen  children, 
eleven  sons,  and  two  daughters. 

One  of  his  sons  bore  the  name  of  Jonathan,  and  was 
born  in  Dec.  1684.  He  married  Mary  Mitchell,  Aug. 
22,  1711.  This  Mary  was  daughter  of  Deacon  Matthew 
Mitchell,  and  was  baptized  in  July,  1687.  Jonathan  died 
May  16,  1727,  and  Mary  died  Feb.  9,  1743.  They  had 
seven  children,  four  sons,  and  three  daughters.     Elnathan, 

were  collected  from  the  Stratford,  and  Woodbury  Records,  and  from  an 
old  geneological  list  in  the  possession  of  David  P.  Judson  of  Stratford. 
The  Judson  family  is  very  numerous  in  this  vicinity.  I  am  preparing 
a  list  of  genealogies  of  the  early  names  of  this  town  (Woodbury)  of 
which  the  Judson  name  is  one,  and  will  make  quite  a  book  of  itself.'' 


EPHRAIM  JTJDSON.  37 


the  eldest  son,  was  born  May  8,  1712,  and  was  baptized 
the  same  month.  He  married  Rebecca  Minor,  June  30, 
1736.  This  Rebecca  was  daughter  of  Ephraim  and  Re- 
becca Minor,  and  grand-daughter  of  Capt.  John  Minor, 
first  settler  of  Woodbury,  anl  Indian  Interpreter.  She 
was  born  Jan.  30,  1712.  Captain  Elnathan  Judson  died 
Dec.  14,  1796,  aged  eighty-four  years.  They  had  the 
following  children: 

(1)  Ephraim,  baptized  Dec.  11,  1737,  born  Dec.  5, 
1737. 

(2)  Thaddeus,  baptized  Oct.  14,  1739. 

(3)  Mary,  baptized  Oct.  18,  1741. 

(4)  Noah,  baptized  July  15,  1744. 

(5)  Elisha,  baptized  July  20,  1746. 

(6)  Elisha,  2d.,  baptized  Nov.  8,  1747. 

(7)  Adoniram,  baptized  July  15,  1750. 

The  first  Elisha  died  early.  The  second  Elisha  left  five 
children,  viz:  Reuben,  David,  Sybil,  Ruth  and  Abigail. 
The  only  daughter,  Mary,  married  Edward  Pond,  Nov.  7, 
1765.  Thaddeus  left  seven  children,  viz:  Elnathan, 
Noah,  Thaddeus,  Pamela,  Hannah,  Esther,  Elihu;  the 
first  four  of  whom,  his  brother  Noah  adopted,  after  Thad- 
deus' death.  Lieut.  Noah,  had  one  child,  a  daughter, 
besides  those  of  his  adoption.  Adoniram,  was  a  graduate 
of  Yale  College  in  1775,  received  the  Honorary  Degree 
of  Master  of  Arts  from  Harvard  University  in  1782,  and 
was  for  many  years  Pastor  of  a  Church  in  Plymouth, 
Mass.  His  son,  Adoniram,  graduated  at  Brown  Univer- 
sity in  1807,  and  recently  died,  after  having  been  a  faith- 
ful, and  successful  Foreign  Missionary,  for  forty  years.* 

*  Rev.  Doctor  Wayland,  President  of  Brown  University,  is  preparing 
the  memoir  of  this  eminent  man.  It  will  be  an  important  addition  to 
the  religious  literature  of  the  country. 

4 


38  TIIE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

Ephraim,  the  eldest  child  of  Elnathan*  and  Rebecca 
Judson,  was  the  ninth  minister  of  Taunton.  He  was 
born,  as  has  been  already  stated,  Dec.  5th,  1737,  and, 
according  to  primitive  New-England  usage,  was  baptized 
the  next  Sabbath.  He  graduated  at  Yale  College,  twelve 
years  earlier  than  his  brother  Adoniram,  that  is,  in  1763. 
His  first  settlement  in  the  ministry,  was  over  the  second 
church  in  Norwich,  Conn.,  as  the  successor  of  Doctor 
Whittaker.  He  commenced  his  labors  in  Taunton  some- 
time during  the  year  of  1780.  These  labors  for  the  space 
of  ten  years,  the  period  of  his  settlement,  were  of  a  very 
decided,  positive  character.  In  the  pulpit,  and  out  of  the 
pulpit,  Mr.  Judson  left  the  mark  of  a  strong  mind  upon 
every  thing  he  touched.  His  people  were  never  at  a  loss 
to  know  what  he  believed.  He  was  the  very  man  to  make 
warm  friends,  and  was  just  as  sure  to  have  implacable  en- 
emies, f  His  eccentricitiesl:  are  remembered  by  those 
who  have  forgotten  his  excellencies. 

*  Rev.  Charles  S.  Porter,  a  successor  of  Rev.  Adoniram  Judson  in 
the  Pastoral  office  at  Plymouth,  in  a  communication  received  the  2d  of 
July,  '52,  relates  an  interesting  incident  in  the  life  of  the  father,  (whom 
he  calls  "Minor"  mistaking  the  mother's  maiden  name  for  her  hus- 
band's)—  an  incident  derived  from  Miss  Abigail  Judson,  sister  of  the 
Missionary:  "Mr.  Judson,  the  father  of  Ephraim,  once  met  with  four 
others,  to  drink  and  blaspheme,  and  called  on  God,  if  there  was  one,  to 
damn  them.  One  soon  fell  back,  and  died ;  then  another,  the  same  eve- 
ning. A  third  died  the  following  day.  Two  survived.  Mr.  Judson  was 
one.  A  revival  of  religion  soon  followed,  and  he  was  made  a  subject  of 
renewing  grace,  The  "Parents  both  lived,"  adds  Mr.  Porter,  "to  an  ad- 
vanced age  and  were  eminentlv  pious." 

t  Note  A. 

X  There  are  many  instances  of  these  eccentricities  related,  connected 
with  his  Sabbath  ministrations  and  his  every  day  intercourse  with  the 
people.  For  example,  it  is  said  of  him,  that  one  Sabbath  he  stopped  in 
the  midst  of  a  Discourse,  when  several  of  the  elderly  people  had  fallen 
asleep,  and  reprehended  some  noisy  boys  in  the  gallery  on  this  wise : 
"Boys,  boys,"  said  he,  "don't  make'so  much  noise  up  there,  or  you  will 
wake  the  old  folks  down  below." 

On  one  occasion  preaching  concerning  the  architecture  of  Solomon's 
Temple,  he  thus  described  its  length:  "It  reached,"  said  he.  "as  far  as 
it  is  from  here  to  Mr.  Abijah  Hodges'  house  —  I  don't  mean  young  Mr. 
Abijah's,  but  old  Mr.  Abijah's." 


EPHRAIM  JUDSON.  39 


He  was  stern,  and  apparently  severe,  but  not  without  a 
good  degree  of  moderation  and  mildness.*  He  was  very 
precise  in  all  his  proceedings. f 

He  undertook  once  to  reprehend  his  hearers  for  their  lack  of  industry* 
and  for  their  unreasonable  repining.  After  dealing  faithfully  with  the 
young,  he  turned  towards  the  old  people  and  said:  "And  you  old  men 
too,  will  gather  in  groupes.  and  leaning  on  your  staves,  will  complain  of 
'hard  times!  hard  times!'  But,  Sirs,  do  you  go  to  work?  No  —  you 
go  to  the  tavern,  and  get  another  mug  of  grog." 

He  once  accosted  a  lad  on  the  roof  of  a  house  in  the  following  singu- 
larly abrupt  way:  "Boy,  has  your  father  got  'Common  Sense  ?'  (mean- 
ing Paine's  book  so  called,  which  was  just  published,  and  he  had  heard 
this  neighbor  had.)  "I  guess  he  has  as  much  as  you  have,"  was  the 
quick  reply ;  and  no  wonder. 

But  his  blunt,  uncompromising  manner  was  sometimes  serviceable. 
Tor  example :  A  man,  who  had  once  been  a  minister,  but  was  deposed 
for  Polygamy,  called  upon  him  one  Saturday  evening,  and  wanted  to 
preach,  supposing  his  character  was  unknown  to  Mr.  Judson.  Mr.  Jud- 
son  merely  said  "  Good  evening  "  to  the  stranger,  and  passed  out  of  the 
room.  After  a  little  time  he  returned,  and  thus  remarked:  "  Sir,  you 
perceive  I  treat  you  rather  coolly.  Are  your  two  wives  both  living  ?" 
Nothing  more  was  said  about  preaching. 

Nor  did  he  allow  himself  to  escape  sharp  rebuke.  Riding  along  one 
day  in  a  piece  of  woods,  he  met  a  poor  man  who  asked  for  charity,  and 
really  needed  it.  The  minister  moved  with  compassion,  stopped  his 
horse,  and  gave  him  a  small  sum,  which,  afterwards  a  selfish,  parsimo- 
nious spirit  told  him  might  possibly  have  been  too  much.  The  man 
was  not  yet  out  of  sight.  Mr.  Judson  suddenly  halted,  turned  his  horse, 
and  called  after  him.  "  Sir,"  said  he,  "how  much  did  I  give  you  ?" 
"  Twelve  and  a  half  cents,"  was  the  quick  reply.  "  Well,  here  is  a  dol- 
lar—  take  that.     Now,  grudge  again,  old  heart." 

These  peculiarities  of  the  Preacher  are  indicated  perhaps  by  the  char- 
acter of  the  face  which  the  artist  has  furnished  for  this  volume.  The 
lithograph  is  a  faithful  copy  of  the  portrait,  which  was  obtained  from 
the  only  surviving  grandchild,  residing  in  Windsor,  Ct. 

*  Mr.  Judson's  house  was  on  High  St.  —  on  the  lot  adjoining  the  pres- 
ent location  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  Some  boys  amused  themselves 
one  night  in  putting  a  long,  heavy  stick  of  timber  into  his  well,  which 
was  in  front  of  his  house,  near  the  street.  By  diligent  enquiry,  Mr. 
Judson  learned  their  names,  and  summoned  them  before  him.  With 
becoming  gravity,  he  proceeded  to  pronounce  their  sentence.  Said  he  : 
"  Boys,  you  have  put  the  stick  in,  now  go  to  work,  and  take  it  out " —  a 
punishment,  severe  indeed,  but  sufficiently  mild.  The  well  was  deep, 
and  the  timber  heavy,  but  after  sweating  over  it  several  hours,  with  Mr. 
Judson,  and  all  the  neighbors  looking  on,  and  laughing  at  thom,  they 
succeeded  in  undoing  what  it  took  them  only  a  short  time  to  do,  resolv- 
ed probably  to  play  no  more  tricks  on  their  minister. 

t  He  was  sometimes  ridiculously  so.  For  example.  He  once  heard, 
or  thought  he  heard  a  thief  in  his  cellar.  Instead  of  making  a  prompt, 
and  manly  personal  enquiry  into  the  case,  he  calls  in   several  of  his 


40  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

Notwithstanding  his  marked  peculiarities,  and  undesir- 
able oddities,  Mr.  Judson  had  many  redeeming  qualities, 
which  made  him  not  only  as  a  Preacher  but  as  a  citizen 
and  a  neighbor,  a  very  desirable  and  useful  man.  Mr. 
Baylies  says  of  him:*  "His  temper  was  kind  and  hospi- 
table, and  his  deportment  courteous.  Occasionally  he 
was  exceedingly  interesting  in  the  pulpit,  discovering 
great  learning  and  logical  acuteness.  His  manner,  when 
he  commenced,  was  slow  and  indolent,  but  always  solemn ; 
as  he  proceeded,  he  became  animated,  and  seldom  failed, 
before  the  close,  to  produce  a  deep  interest  in  his  hearers." 

Mr.  Judson  was  dismissed  from  his  Pastoral  charge  in 
Taunton,  by  an  Ecclesiastical  Council,  convened  Dec. 
28th,  1790.f 

He  was  subsequently  settled  in  Sheffield,  Mass.,  where 

neighbors,  arranges  them  at  different  convenient  points  without  the 
house,  whilst  he  concludes  at  length  to  go  down,  and  drive  the  intruder 
out.  The  great  parade  of  preparation  was  sufficiently  ludicrous,  when, 
as  might  have  been  expected,  there  was  no  thief  there. 

Another  instance  of  amusing  precision  relates  to  an  attempt  once 
made  to  administer  medicine  to  his  only  child,  Ephraim.  He  was  sick, 
and,  as  is  not  uncommon  with  children  at  such  a  time,  considerably 
averse  to  nauseous  doses.  Several  women  of  the  place,  skilled  in  such 
matters,  were  called  in,  and  the  precise  master  of  ceremonies  proceeds 
forthwith  to  assign  them  their  several  parts.     "Mistress  Barnum,  you 

will  please  station  yourself  at  the  child's  head.     Mistress  D ,  you 

will  stand  at  his  right  elbow.    Mistress  E ,  you  will  stand  at  his  left. 

Mistress  C ,  you  may  hold  his  right  foot.     Mistress  A ,  you 

may  hold  his  left.  I  will  stand,  and  administer  the  dose.  Now,  ladies, 
do  you  all  understand  your  places,  and  are  you  ready  to  perform  your 
parts  ?  Mistress  Barnum,  where  is  your  place  ?  Answer.  At  the  head. 
Mistress  D.,  where  is  your  place  ?  Answer.  At  his  right  elbow.  Mis- 
tress E.,  where  is  your  place  ?  Answer.  At  his  left  elbow.  When  he 
had  thoroughly  drilled  the  circle  as  to  their  several  places  and  parts,  the 
medical  prescription  is  faithfully  administered,  with  no  loss  of  life  or 
limb,  but  somewhat  to  the  amusement  of  lookers  on,  who  wonder,  and 
with  reason,  that  the  Taunton  Divine  had  not  learned  a  lesson  from 
'•faithful  Abraham,"  and  so  "commanded  his  children,  and  his  hottse- 
hold  after  him,"  as  to  render  this  formidable  array  of  matrons  unneces- 
sary. 

*  Ina  newspaper  article,  of  1833,  generally  ascribed  to  him. 

t  Mr.  Baylies,  in  the  article  already  referred  to  incorrectly  states, 
that  it  was  in  1789.    For  the  action  of  this  Council,  see  Note  B. 


EPHRAIM   JUDSON.  41 


he  continued  in  the  ministry,  until  his  death,  February 
23,  1813,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five.  He  was  buried  in 
Sheffield ;  and  from  Rev.  James  Bradford,  the  successor 
of  Mr.  Judson,  I  have  received  a  copy  of  the  epitaph, 
which  he  is  careful  to  inform  me,  "  expresses  faithfully  and 
truly  his  own  views  of  Mr.  Judson,  both  as  a  man  and  as 
a  christian,"  as  gathered  from  the  recollection  and  judg- 
ment of  others,  (for  he  never  saw  him,)  "  but  his  epitaph 
is  considered  a  fair  one." 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory 

of  the 

Rev'd  Ephraim  Judson,  A.  M. 

Pastor  of  the  Church  in  Sheffield. 

He  died  on  the  23d  of  Feb.  1813,  in  the  76th  year  of 
his  age,  and  the  23d  of  his  ministry  in  Sheffield,  having 
been  previously  the  Pastor  of  a  church  in  Norwich,  Ct., 
and  Taunton,  Mass.  Mr.  Judson  was  esteemed  a  learned 
Divine,  an  acute  logician,  and  an  evangelical  preacher. 
He  was  mild,  courteous,  and  hospitable.  By  his  numer- 
ous friends,  he  was  deem'd  a  wise  counsellor,  an  active 
peace-maker,  and  a  sincere  christian.  What  he  was  in 
truth,  the  Great  Day  will  disclose." 

Mr.  Judson  married  Chloe  Ellis,  of  Somers,  Conn. 
They  had  one  child,  born  at  Norwich,  Conn.,  in  1777,  and 
bearing  the  name  of  his  father.  He  graduated  at  Wil- 
liams College,  in  1797,  and  practiced  law  in  Sandisfield, 
Mass.,  where  he  died  in  1807.  He  left  two  children, 
Ephraim  and  Catharine.  Catharine  married  a  Barnes, 
and  died  Sept.  16,  1848.  Ephraim  lives  unmarried  in 
Windsor,  Conn.* 


*  For  these  facts  concerning  the  grand-children  of  Rev.  Mr.  Judson^ 
the  writer  of  this  sketch  is  indebted  to  Henry  Sill,  Esq.,  of  Windsor 
Ct.,  administrator  on  the  estate  of  their  mother,  recently  deceased. 

4* 


42  THE   MINISTRY    OF   TAUXTOX. 

Several  sermons  of  Rev.  Mr.  Judson  were  published 
during  his  life  time.  The  following  belonging  to  Rev.  Al- 
van  Cobb,  D.  D.,  of  Taunton,  have  been  furnished  for  exam- 
ination :  A  sermon  on  the  "  first  promise  of  the  Savior  in 
the  Scriptures,"  and  a  double  sermon  on  the  "  Judgment 
of  the  Great  Day;"  the  former,  founded  on  the  text, 
(Gen.  3:  15,)  "and  I  will  put  enmity  between  thee  and 
the  woman,  and  between  thy  seed  and  her  seed ;  it  shall 
bruise  thy  head,  and  thou  shalt  bruise  his  heel;"  the  latter 
suggested  by  a  part  of  the  sixth  verse  of  the  Epistle  of 
Jude,  "Unto  the  Judgment  of  the  Great  Day."  The  one 
.occupies  twenty-six  pages,  and  the  other  forty  pages  of  a 
"  Collection  of  Sermons  on  important  subjects,  from  a 
number  of  Ministers  in  some  of  the  Northern  States  of 
America,  printed  by  Hudson  and  Goodwin  of  Hartford, 
Ct.,  in  1797." 

"A  sermon,  preached  at  the  ordination  of  the  Rev. 
Jonathan  Strong  to  the  Pastoral  care  of  the  Third  Church 
in  Braintree,  Jan.  28,  1789,  by  Ephraim  Judson,  A.  M., 
Pastor  of  the  Church  in  Taunton,"  was  "printed  in  Prov- 
idence, by  Bennett  "Wheeler,  at  his  Office  on  the  west 
side  of  the  river,"  in  that  year  —  the  year  preceding  Mr. 
Judson' s  removal  from  Taunton.  The  theme  of  the  ser- 
mon was  thus  stated:  "Ambassadors  appointed  by  Christ 
to  treat  with  mankind  on  the  subject  of  reconciliation  to 
God."  Text,  (2  Cor.  5:  20,)  "Now  then  we  are  Am- 
bassadors for  Christ,  as  though  God  did  beseech  you  by 
us:  "We  pray  you  in  Christ's  stead,  be  ye  reconciled  to 
God."  Rev.  John  Porter  of  Bridgewater  gave  the  Pastor 
elect,  the  Charge  ;  Rev.  Ezra  Weld  of  Braintree  express- 
ed the  Fellowship  of  the  Churches.  Mr.  Judson  preach- 
ed two  ordination  sermons  in  1799,  which  were  published ; 


EPHRAIM  JUDSON.  43 


the  first  "  delivered  in  Durham  at  the  Ordination  of  Rev. 
David  Smith,"  from  the  text  (Jonah  3:  2,)  "Preach  unto 
it  the  preaching  that  I  bid  thee;"  the  second  "delivered 
in  Waterbury,  Ct.,  at  the  Ordination  of  Rev.  Holland 
Weeks,"  from  the  text,  (Rom.  10:  14,  15,)  "How  then 
shall  they  call  on  him,  in  whom  they  have  not  believed? 
and  how  shall  they  believe  in  him,  of  whom  they  have  not 
heard  ?  and  how  shall  they  hear  without  a  preacher  ?  and 
how  shall  they  preach,  except  they  be  sent  ?  As  it  is 
written,  how  beautiful  are  the  feet  of  them,  that  preach 
the  Gospel  of  peace,  and  bring  glad  tidings  of  good 
things!" 

The  same  year  (1799)  was  published  a  sermon  preach- 
ed at  Sheffield,  on  the  decease  of  Gen.  Ashley.  There 
may  have  been  still  other  printed  discourses,  which  have 
escaped  our  notice.  The  limits  of  this  work  preclude  the 
publication  of  more  than  two  of  these  several  productions 
of  the  ninth  Taunton  minister. 


Ambassadors  appointed  by   Christ  to  treat  with  mankind 
on  the  subject  of  reconciliation  to   God,  illustrated. 


A 

SERMON, 

PREACHED    AT    THE 

ORDINATION 

OF    THE    REVEREND 

J  O  NA  THA  N  STRO  NG, 

TO    THE 
PASTORAL    CARE 

OF    THE 

THIRD     CHURCH 

IN 

B  RAINTREE ; 

January  28,  1789. 

By  EPERA1m"jUDSON,  A.  M. 

PASTOR   OF   THE    CHURCH   IX   TAUXTOX. 


%m 


PRIMMED  in  PROVWEXCE, 


WEST    SIDE    THE   RIVER. 


A  N 


OKDINATION   SEEMON. 


2  CORINTHIANS,  v.  20. 

"  Nbiv  then  we  are  Ambassadors  for  Christ,  as  though 
God  did  beseech  you  by  us  :  we  pray  you  in  Christ's 
stead  be  ye  reconciled  to  God." 

,C^HIS  text,  viewed  in  connection  with  the 
EJP  \  present  solemnity,  leads  our  contemplations 
to  the  appointment  of  Ambassadors  of  Christ : 
To  the  character  of  his  Ambassadors  :  —  To 
the  character  of  mankind  to  whom  his  Ambassadors  are 
sent :  —  And  to  the  design  of  their  being  sent. 

1.  Christ  has  appointed  an  order  of  men  to  act  as  his 
Ambassadors. 


This  is  manifest  from  the  scriptures.  "  We  are  Am- 
bassadors for  Christ :  Hath  given  to  us  the  ministry  of 
reconciliation"  Christ  in  his  gifts  to  the  Church,  "  gave 
some,  Apostles  ;  and  some,  Prophets  ;  and  some,  Evan- 


48  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

gelists  ;  and  some  Pastors  and  Teachers."  Paul  left  Ti- 
tus iu  Crete,  "  to  ordain  Elders  in  every  City."  Each 
one  of  the  seven  churches  in  Asia  had  an  Angel.  That  is, 
a  Minister.  Christ  sent  Ambassadors  to  the  gentile  world. 
"  Go  into  all  the  ivorld,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature." 

He  has  always  had  them,  and  he  will  always  have  them 
to  the  end  of  the  world.  He  appointed  Enoch  and  Noah 
before  the  flood,  to  act  as  his  Ambassadors  to  the  Antedi- 
luvians.* He  prolonged  the  life  of  Noah  three  hundred 
and  fifty  years  after  the  flood,  to  act  as  his  Ambassador  to 
his  children.  Soon  after  the  death  of  Noah,  he  appointed 
Abram  and  Lot,  Isaac  and  Jacob,  Job  and  others,  to  act 
as  his  Ambassadors  to  the  families  of  the  earth.  After 
the  death  of  these  men  he  appointed  Moses  and  Aaron, 
Samuel  and  the  Prophets,  to  act  as  his  Ambassadors  to  the 
Israelites,  and  to  people  of  other  nations,  who  resided 
among  them,  or  came  to  be  spectators  of  their  festivals,  or 
to  learn  their  laws  and  religion.  In  his  providence,  he 
sent  some  of  the  Prophets,  as  captives  to  neighbouring  and 
to  distant  nations,  to  act  as  Ambassadors  to  idolatrous 
kings  and  people.  After  the  Prophets,  he  appointed  John 
his  forerunner,  to  act  as  an  Ambassador  to  the  Jews. 
Soon  after  John,  he  chose  the  twelve  to  be  with  him,  and 
to  act  as  his  Ambassadors  to  the  people.  About  the  same 
time  he  chose  seventy,  and  sent  them  before  his  face  into 
the  villages  and  cities  of  Israel.     After  he  arose  from  the 

*  Christ  existed  from  Eternity.  He  u  very  God.  Governed  the 
■world  from  the  beginning.  He  set  up  a  church."  And  he  instituted  the 
office  of  Ambassadors.  He  lias  had  different  ways,  in  different  periods 
of  the  Church,  in  calling  and  appointing  them  to  their  office  :  But  the 
design  of  their  office  has  been  the  same  in  all  periods  of  the  Church. 


judson's  sermon  in  1789.  49 

dead,  he  appointed  Ambassadors  to  goto  all  nations.  "  Q-o 
into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature." 
In  obedience  to  the  command  of  their  Lord,  they  went 
among  the  nations  of  the  great  Roman  empire.  Some  of 
them  penetrated  barbarous  countries  beyond  the  imperial 
line.  The  nations  persecuted  them  with  tortures  and 
death.  For  the  space  of  three  hundred  years,  they  stain- 
ed their  countries  with  christian  blood.  Preachers  were 
imprisoned,  hanged  and  burnt.  But  Christ  kept  raising 
up  and  sending  others.  And  finally  put  an  end  to  this  se- 
vere conflict,  gave  peace  to  his  distressed  people,  for  a 
season,  and  multiplied  Ambassadors  ;  so  that  whole  coun- 
tries were  supplied  with  them.  And  when  the  season  of 
peace  was  interrupted  by  the  anti-christian  power,  that 
gradually  arose,  he  continued  to  send  forth  Ambassadors. 
All  the  terrors  of  Antichrist ;  his  cruel  edicts  and  anathe- 
mas that  were  thundered  from  his  imperious  throne,  like 
storms  of  fire  and  brimstone  ;  the  fires  that  he  kindled  in 
the  nations  to  burn  christians  ;  the  numerous  tortures  in- 
flicted for  many  hundred  years,  gibbets,  prisons,  and  the 
sword  did  not  extinguish  the  order.  In  the  darkest  days 
of  the  anti-christian  power,  Christ  had  a  number  of  Am- 
bassadors, who  administered  to  the  Church,  that  resided  in 
the  obscure  vallies  of  Piedmont.  And  others  he  had,  at  the 
same  time,  in  various  other  places.  Ever  since  antichrist 
received  a  wound  by  the  reformation  from  popery,  and 
light  emerged  from  darkness,  Christ  hath  been  increasing 
Ambassadors.  At  present  he  has  many  in  Europe  ;  he 
has  a  few  in  Asia  and  Africa  ;  some  he  has  upon  the  isles  ; 
in  America  he  has  a  large  number.  He  will  have  them 
till  the  millenium.  And,  in  the  millenium,  he  will  send 
them  to  every  dark  country  of  paganism.  He  will  have 
5 


50  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

thein  in  the  kingdoms  and  colonics,  that  are  now  under 
the  papal  power.  He  will  have  them  in  the  extensive 
countries,  that  embrace  the  Mahometan  religion.  He  will 
have  them  in  all  the  towns  and  cities  of  Europe.  He  will 
have  them  in  the  old  settlements  of  America,  and  in  the 
populous  towns  and  elegant  cities,  that,  in  a  future  day, 
will  be  reared  in  the  west.  With  hearts  full  of  good  af- 
fections, Ambassadors  will  spread  all  over  the  world.  In 
great  cities  the  voice  of  Ambassadors  will  echo  from  church 
to  church.  Villages  will  assemble  from  every  house,  and 
be  blessed  with  Ambassadors  proclaiming  reconciliation. 
Heavenly  sermons  will  be  heard,  where  savage  beasts  and 
savage  men  now  haunt  inhospitable  wilds.  Harbours  teem- 
ing with  ships,  where  the  ah'  is  infected  with  profane  oaths, 
will  be  sweetened  with  sermons  on  divine  subjects.  The 
mariner,  whose  ship  plows  the  boisterous  sea,  will  have  the 
Ambassador  on  board  to  preach  glad  tidings. 

And  in  the  little  season  of  degeneracy,  that  will  begin 
at  the  end  of  the  millenium,  and  last  till  the  day  of  judg- 
ment, he  will  have  Ambassadors.  The  promise,—^"  Lo, 
lam  with  you  alway,  to  the  end  of  the  world"  implies 
that  he  would  always  have  them,  so  long  as  the  world 
should  continue. 

2.  We  are  to  give  a  description  of  Christ's  Ambassa- 
dors. 

An  Ambassador,  as  the  term  is  commonly  used,  is  a 
Representative  of  a  Prince,  sent  on  business  to  foreign 
powers.  An  Ambassador  of  Christ,  as  the  phrase  is  com- 
monly used,  is  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  sent  to  mankind, 
to  preach  the  way  of  salvation. 


jijdson's  sermon  in  1789.  51 

Ambassadors  of  Princes  are  appointed  to  their  office. 
They  must  not  undertake  before  they  are  properly  com- 
missioned according  to  the  rule  of  courts.  Ambassadors 
of  Christ  must  be  regularly  appointed  to  their  office.  They 
must  not  undertake  till  they  are  commissioned  according 
to  the  laws  of  Christ. 

Ambassadors  of  Princes  have  instructions  from  those 
who  send  them  that  they  may  know  what  they  have  to  do. 
Ambassadors  of  Christ  have  instructions  from  him,  that 
they  may  know  what  they  have  to  do.  Then*  Lord  has 
given  them  orders  in  his  word. 

Ambassadors  of  courts  must  follow  their  instructions 
without  deviating  in  the  least  from  the  business,  on  which 
they  are  sent.  So  must  the  Ambassadors  of  Christ. 
The  Priests  under  the  law  were  to  follow  all  the  directions 
which  God  gave  them.  The  Ministers  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament are  to  teach  men, "  to  observe  all  tilings  ivhatsoever" 
Jesus  "  hath  commanded  them" 

Ambassadors  of  Kings  must  be  men  of  ability  and 
knowledge.  They  must  be  acquainted  with  law,  and  the 
customs  of  courts.  They  must  understand  the  will  of  their 
masters,  and  the  business  on  which  they  are  sent.  Am- 
bassadors of  Christ  must  also  be  men  of  ability  and  knowl- 
edge.' They  must  understand  the  scriptures.  Must  un- 
derstand the  will  of  their  Lord ;  and  the  rules  of  his 
house.  Wise  sovereigns  do  not  send  ignorant  men  to  ne- 
gociato  national  concerns.  The  Lord  Jesus  does  not  send 
ignorant  men  on  business  relating  to  his  eternal  kingdom. 
Spiritual  Ambassadors  are  to  explain,  and  inculcate  the 
sublime  doctrines  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  It  requires 
men  of  knowledge  to  do  this. 


THE    MINISTRY    OF   TAUNTON. 


Ambassadors  of  Princes  should  be  friendly  to  the 
cause  which  they  undertake.  Courts  do  not  employ  an 
enemy  on  an  embassy.  Ambassadors  of  the  Prince  of 
peace  should  be  friendly  to  the  cause  which  they  undertake. 
No  confidence  can  be  put  in  an  enemy.  When  self-inter- 
est or  ambitious  views  clash  with  duty,  he  will  betray  his 
trust.  A  selfish  Minister  will  not  sacrifice  his  worldly  in- 
terest and  reputation  for  truth.  When  his  own  interest 
and  the  cause  of  religion  stand  in  competition,  he  will  give 
up  the  cause  of  religion,  rather  than  his  interest :  There- 
fore he  ought  to  be  a  man  of  grace.  This  will  secure  a 
degree  of  fidelity.  A  pure  flame  of  disinterested  love  to 
the  Lord  Jesus,  and  to  the  welfare  of  souls  must  incline  a 
man  to  undertake  the  evangelical  ministry. 

Ambassadors  of  Kings  ought  to  be  men  of  good  moral 
conduct.  Vice  and  dissipation  will  incapacitate  a  public 
character  for  usefulness.  Ambassadors  of  Christ  must 
be  men  of  an  holy  life.  A  wicked  life  is  utterly  incompat- 
ible with  their  holy  calling.  It  incapacitates  them  for  the 
pious  duties  of  their  ministry.  It  is  a  scandalous  offence 
to  religion.  And  it  makes  mankind  think  that  there  is 
nothing  serious  and  important  in  preaching  and  religion. 

Ambassadors  of  Princes  should  devote  themselves  to 
their  business.  Being  called  to  transact  matters  of  conse- 
quence, they  must  lay  aside  all  other  business.  Ambassa- 
dors to  the  Prince  of  Heaven  should  devote  themselves  to 
their  business.  Their  office  is  filled  up  with  care  and  at- 
tention. They  have  to  strive  against  sin  ;  study  the  scrip- 
tures ;  get  clear  ideas  ;  preach  sermons  ;  attend  lectures  ; 
visit  the  sick  ;  go  to  funerals  ;  watch  the  flock  ;  warn  the 
wicked  ;  administer  comfort  to  the  wounded  in  spirit ;  and 


judson's  SERMON  IX  1789.  53 

discipline  the  Church.  This  requires  close  application  to 
ministerial  duties.  Paul  exhorted  Timothy,  his  young  son 
in  the  faith,  to  give  himself  wholly  to  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry. The  same  Apostle  directs  Ministers  to  take  the  sol- 
dier for  a  pattern,  who  when  he  goes  to  war,  does  not  en- 
tangle himself  with  the  cares  of  this  world.  A  Preacher 
has  no  business  to  act  in  a  political  character :  His  work 
is  of  more  consequence,  than  that  of  a  civil  officer.  He 
has  no  business  to  labour  in  the  field  :  He  has  a  duty  to 
discharge  infinitely  greater.  He  has  no  business  to  entan- 
gle himself  with  a  mercantile  shop  :  His  mind  must  be  on 
his  study,  and  heart  on  the  good  of  his  people.  The  vari- 
ous callings  of  life  are  incompatible  with  his  ministerial 
duties.  When  he  undertakes  the  office  of  a  Bishop,  he 
commences  a  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  in  whose  service  he 
is  called  to  labour  all  his  days.  He  must  not  be  enticed 
to  lay  aside  his  ministry  by  the  inviting  prospects  of  hon- 
our ;  nor  by  the  flattering  appearances  of  obtaining  wealth 
in  some  other  calling  of  life. 

Ambassadors  of  Princes  are  confined  to  particular  na- 
tions. The  commission  of  the  Ambassadors  of  Christ 
extends  to  all  nations.  It  was  confined  in  Christ's  day  to 
the  Jews.  But  after  Christ's  death  he  extended  it  to  all 
nations.  Jew  and  Gentile  ;  bond  and  free  ;  christian  and 
barbarian ;  the  sober  and  profane  are  now  to  be  treated 
with  on  the  subject  of  reconciliation.  "  Go  ye  into  all  the 
world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature.^ 

Ambassadors  of  Courts  have  business  of  consequence 
committed  to  them.     They  negociate  for  Kings,  courts  and 
empires.     The  welfare  of  multitudes  is  concerned  in  their 
5* 


54  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

decisions.  More  important  is  the  embassage  of  the  Min- 
isters of  Christ.  It  is  not  a  treaty  of  amity  and  commerce, 
of  war  and  peace,  that  they  negociate ;  but  a  treaty  of 
reconciliation  to  God.  They  go  with  a  message-  from  the 
King  of  Heaven,  to  the  empire  of  the  world.  The  hon- 
our of  God  the  Father — The  glory  of  a  crucified  Saviour 
—  And  the  salvation  of  lost  men  is  deeply  interested  in 
the  treaty. 

3.  We  are  to  lay  open  the  character  of  mankind,  to 
whom  the  Ambassadors  of  Christ  are  sent. 

It  is  important  to  know  mankind,  that  we  may  know 
how  to  address  them. 

They  are  enemies  to  God.  This  may  appear  from  the 
following  things. 

(1)  From  their  selfishness. 

By  selfishness  is  not  meant  a  suitable  regard  to  our 
own  happiness.  We  ought  to  love  ourselves,  as  a  part  of 
the  intellectual  world.  We  ought  to  love  every  rational 
being,  of  which  we  have  any  knowledge.  And  as  we 
make  a  part  of  the  great  body  of  intelligent  beings,  we 
ought  to  love  ourselves.  There  is  the  same  reason  for  a 
man  to  love  himself,  as  there  is,  that  he  should  love  anoth- 
er. Capacity  to  enjoy  rational  happiness,  is  a  foundation 
for  love.  Each  one  has  this  :  Therefore  each  one  is  to  be 
loved.  Because  it  is  self,  it  is  not  to  be  neglected.  The 
command  of  Christ,  "  Love  thy  neighbour  as  thyself;"  im- 
plies that  we  may  love  ourselves,  as  really  as  our  neigh- 
bour. Minding  this,  however,  not  to  put  an  undue  value 
on  ourselves,  or  any  other  being  ;  nor  love  each  one  above 
his  real  worth  and  capacity  to  enjoy  happiness. 


JFDSOX's    SERMON    IN    1789. 


By  selfishness,  as  the  term  is  used  here,  is  meant  that 
disposition  in  mankind,  which  only  regards  their  own  hap- 
piness. Benevolence  has  an  eye  to  the  good  of  beings  in 
general.  Selfishness  has  an  eye  only  to  self.  Benevo- 
lence is  love  to  the  highest  good  of  the  universe.  Selfish- 
ness is  love  only  to  the  interest  of  self. 

That  mankind  are  selfish,  is  too  plain  to  be  denied. 
We  see  it  in  all  classes  of  men.  We  feel  it  in  our  own 
breasts. 

Selfishness  is  of  such  a  nature,  that  it  would  exalt 
itself  above  all  beings,  and  engross  the  wealth  and  happi- 
ness of  the  universe,  if  it  had  sufficient  power  and  oppor- 
tunity. He  who  would  deprive  a  man  of  a  degree  of  hap- 
piness, to  advance  his  own  interest,  would,  if  he  were  not 
controuled,  deprive  a  man  of  all  his  happiness.  And  he 
who  would  deprive  on:  man  of  happiness,  to  advance  his  own 
interest,  would,  if  not  restrained,  deprive  two  —  an  hun- 
dred—  all  mankind  —  even  God  himself,  of  happiness. 
The  tendency  of  selfishness  is  to  rise,  trample  down,  and 
destroy  others  to  promote  itself.  Therefore  the  nature  of 
selfishness  is  inimical  to  man,  and  to  God.  The  man  who 
has  it,  is  armed,  and  prepared  to  oppose  God.  And  when 
any  one  awakes  out  of  security  ;  and  realizes  eternal 
things  ;  and  sees  that  God  is  opposed  to  him  as  a  sinner, 
his  heart  rises  against  God.  He  sees  God,  and  hates  him. 
While  he  is  ignorant  of  God,  or  secure  in  his  sins,  he  has 
the  essence  of  enmity ;  for  selfishness  is  really  enmity. 
But  when  he  is  roused,  and  convicted  of  sin  and  danger, 
he  has  direct  positive  exercises  of  hatred  to  God. 

(2)  It  appears  that  mankind  are  enemies  to  God  from 
idolatry. 


5G  TUB  MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

Idolatry  has  been  prevalent  among  the  children  of 
men.  From  the  creation  of  the  world  to  the  flood,  it  was 
sixteen  hundred  and  fifty  years.  In  that  period,  it  is 
thought  that  idolatry  was  prevalent.  From  the  flood  till 
the  call  of  Abram,  it  was  four  hundred  and  twenty  years. 
In  that  period,  by  a  gradual  declension  from  the  worship 
of  God,  all  the  families  of  the  earth  become  idolaters. 
From  the  call  of  Abram  to  the  death  of  Christ,  it  was  al- 
most two  thousand  years.  In  that  long  period  all  nations 
lay  buried  in  idolatry,  except  the  Israelites.  And  they  f.  e- 
quently  went  after  the  gods  of  the  nations.  From  the  death 
of  Christ  to  the  end  of  the  apostolic  age,  it  was  sixty-six 
years.  In  that  period,  all  men  except  a  very  few  remain- 
ed in  their  idolatrous  state.  In  that  time,  there  were  not 
more  than  two  hundred  christian  churches  in  the  world. 
From  the  apostolic  age  down  to  the  present  day  is  sixteen 
hundred  and  eighty-eight  years.  In  all  this  long  period, 
almost  all  men  have  lived  in  idolatry.  At  the  present  day 
there  is  more  light  than  there  has  ever  been  ;  yet  not 
more  than  one-fourth  part  of  mankind  worship  the  God 
and  Father  of  Jesus  Christ.  Idolatrous  worship  has  over- 
spread the  world,  and  covered  it  with  thick  darkness. 
Great  kingdoms,  and  mighty  empires  have  adored  suppos- 
ed divinities  of  the  sun,  moon,  and  stars.  Learned  Kings, 
sage  Philosophers  and  venerable  Priests  bowed  before  gods 
of  gold  and  silver,  wood  and  stone.  Some  nations  deified 
their  Heroes  and  Politicians,  and  worshipped  their  depart- 
ed spirits.  Some  adored  four-footed  beasts,  filthy  birds, 
and  venomous  reptiles.  Men  have  "  Changed  the  glory  of 
the  uncorruptible  God  into  an  image  made  like  to  corrup- 
tible man,  and  to  birds,  and  four-footed  beasts,  and  creep- 
ing things"     Some  have  worshipped  the  devil  and  offered 


judson's  sermon  in  1789.  57 

sacrifices  to  him.  Rome  and  Greece,  whose  laws  are  ven- 
erated in  this  enlightened  age,  and  whose  authors  are  stud- 
ied in  our  learned  universities,  tenaciously  held  to  idolatry. 
Rome  papal,  the  savage  tribes  of  America,  and  the  exten- 
sive kingdoms  of  Asia  and  Africa,  are  even  at  this  day 
idolaters. 

This  gross  delusion  of  mankind  is  not  owing  to  the  want 
of  the  means  of  knowledge.  While  men  have  been  kneel- 
ing before  their  idols,  God  has  been  holding  up  light. 
Neither  is  it  owing  to  the  want  of  mental  abilities  :  God 
has  given  them  rational  souls  capable  of  knowing  him. 
Neither  is  it  owing  to  the  want  of  persuasive  considera- 
tions :  Every  possible  motive  to  worship  God,  is  exhibited 
in  a  blaze  of  light.  To  what  then  can  the  cause  of  idola- 
try be  attributed  ?  It  must  be  attributed  to  a  strong  incli- 
nation to  forsake  God.  Which  shows,  that  they  are  disaf- 
fected to  him  ;  for  they  would  not  be  inclined  to  idolatry, 
if  they  were  his  friends. 

The  Apostle  Paul  considered  idolatry,  as  an  evidence 
of  disaffection  to  God.  Speaking  of  idolatry,  he  signified 
that  men  become  idolaters,  because  "  They  did  not  like  to 
retain  God  in  their  knowledge" 

A  royal  family,  suppose,  in  a  succession  of  Kings, 
reigns  for  several  thousand  years,  over  a  great  empire, 
composed  of  many  nations ;  the  subjects  revolt  in  every 
age ;  and  against  the  clearest  light  —  the  most  solemn 
threatenings  —  the  fullest  promises  of  protection  and  hap- 
piness—  and  the  highest  evidence  of  a  disposition  and 
ability  in  their  Sovereigns  to  promote  the  interest  of  those 
who  are  loyal.  Their  revolt  proves  that  they  are  disaffect- 
ed to  their  Sovereigns. 


dS  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

God  is  the  rightful  sovereign  of  the  world:  He  has 
reigned  over  man  several  thousand  years  ;  gives  the  chil- 
dren of  men  the  clearest  light ;  promises  his  worshippers 
the  greatest  blessings  ;  threatens  idolaters  with  the  most 
tremendous  woes  ;  expresses  the  kindest  disposition  to- 
ward men  ;  and  gives  the  highest  evidence  of  his  ability 
to  protect  them.  Men  revolt  from  him  ;  but  an  infinitely 
small  part  worship  God  ;  they  go  after  idol  vanities  ;  they 
kneel  to  a  stock.  This  proves  that  they  do  not  like  their 
holy  Sovereign. 

(3.)  It  appears,  that  mankind  are  enemies  to  God  from 
their  ignorance  of  God  and  divine  things.  When  a  man 
is  ignorant  of  any  branch  of  science  ;  who  is  possessed  of 
good  abilities,  and  favored  with  happy  advantages  to  apply 
his  mind,  and  urged  to  attention  by  every  motive  of  duty 
and  interest ;  it  is  an  evidence,  that  he  is  disaffected  to  it. 
If  a  youth  of  sprightly  abilities,  at  a  seminary  of  learning, 
under  good  instructors,  be  ignorant  of  every  branch  of  lit- 
erature ;  it  is  an  evidence  that  he  hates  his  books.  If  a 
Minister  of  the  Gospel  does  not  understand  the  Bible  ;  it 
is  an  evidence  that  he  has  a  distaste  to  religion.  It  shews 
that  his  heart  is  not  engaged  in  his  calling.  Love  to  a 
thing  is  the  greatest  spur  to  attention ;  and  by  attention 
the  mind  acquires  knowledge.  If  men  had  love  to  God, 
they  would  attend  to  his  character  ;  and  get  acquainted  with 
him.  They  have  sufficient  abilities  to  get  a  good  doctrinal 
knowledge  of  the  great  things  of  his  kingdom.  They  have 
the  best  instruction.  Light  blazes  from  the  cross.  They 
have  every  advantage  that  can  be  wished.  The  things  of 
God  are  explained  in  the  best  manner.  All  the  motives 
from  Heaven  and  Earth  conspire  to  call  up  their  attention. 


judson's  sermon  in  1789.  59 

It  is  their  duty  and  interest  to  acquaint  themselves  with 
eternal  things.  Yet  men  are  ignorant  of  God.  Sinai 
thunders  ;  but  they  will  not  hearken.  Christ  weeps  over 
them ;  but  they  will  not  attend.  Death  with  the  solemni- 
ties of  eternity  draws  near  ;  but  they  will  not  mind.  They 
will  not  be  instructed.  They  will  not  pay  attention  ;  and 
acquaint  themselves  with  divine  things.  Inattention  and 
ignorance  prevail  among  all  classes  of  people.  If  they 
think  a  few  moments  on  God,  they  find  it  painful.  They 
understand  the  various  branches  of  business,  and  tread 
the  circle  of  science  with  pleasure  ;  but  they  will  not  at- 
tend to  the  things  of  God.  This  manifests  an  internal  dis- 
like to  him.  If  any  one  should  be  as  inattentive  to  the 
world,  and  carnal  pleasures,  as  men  are  to  divine  things, 
it  would  be  evidence  enough  that  he  hated  the  world.  If 
you  knew  as  little  about  your  fields,  and  the  various  occu- 
pations of  life,  as  you  do  about  religion,  it  would  be  an 
evidence  that  your  poor  heart  is  opposed  to  the  world.  If 
it  should  give  you  as  much  pain  to  attend  to  your  pleasures, 
as  it  does  to  pray  and  to  meditate  on  the  things  of  eterni- 
ty, it  would  be  a  convincing  proof,  that  you  hated  your 
pleasures.  You  seldom  attend  to  God,  and  divine  things  ; 
and  when  you  do,  it  gives  you  disagreeable  sensations. 
This  is  because  you  are  inimical  to  God. 

(4.)  It  appears  that  they  are  enemies  to  God  from 
their  ill  treatment  of  one  another. 

Their  conduct  toward  one  another  manifests  an  un- 
friendly disposition.  They  defraud  and  cheat,  and  seek 
to  get  advantage  ;  they  backbite  and  devour  one  another. 
Multitudes  are  compelled  to  wear  out  a  miserable  life  in 
slavery  ;  great  numbers  employ  themselves  in  making  in- 


GO  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 


struments  of  death :  Mighty  armies  are  employed  in  offen- 
sive wars,  to  slay  their  poor  fellow-mortals:  Every  age 
produces  fields  of  blood  :  Garrisons  have  been  massacred  : 
Elegant  Cities  have  been  made  like  burnt  Mountains  :  The 
cruelty  of  man  is  beyond  description.  It  shows  that  there 
is  the  seed  of  enmity  lurking  in  the  heart.  They  act  like 
enemies  ;  and  by  actions  we  learn  the  dispositions  of  men. 

The  same  disposition  that  is  inimical  to  man,  is  inimical 
to  God.  The  same  selfish  disposition  that  is  opposed  to  a 
finite  being,  is  opposed  to  the  infinite  Being.  Therefore  the 
enmity  toward  one  another  is  an  evidence,  that  they  are 
enemies  to  God. 

(5.)  It  appears  that  mankind  are  enemies  to  God  from 
the  hard  treatment  that  good  men  have  received  from  the 
world. 

Multitudes  of  good  men  have  been  persecuted  and 
slain.  Studied  tortures  have  been  inflicted  on  the  servants 
of  Christ.  Not  because  they  exalt  themselves  above 
their  fellow-mortals :  They  are  humble,  and  confess  their 
enmity  of  heart.  Not  because  they  seek  the  hurt  of 
mankind :  They  are  harmless  and  inoffensive.  Not  be- 
cause they  are  persons  of  vicious  lives  :  They  are  virtuous 
and  sober.  The  Apostles  were  little  images  of  their  Lord. 
Every  Christian  exhibits  a  degree  of  kindness  similar  to 
that,  which  shone  in  the  conduct  of  the  Saviour  :  But  men 
have  hated  them,  and  put  them  to  death.  That  disposition 
which  is  hatred  to  the  servant,  is  hatred  to  the  Lord  also  ; 
for  there  is  such  a  likeness  between  God  and  his  children, 
that  there  cannot  be  hatred  to  one,  and  not  to  the  other. 
Therefore,  the  enmity  that  they  have  shown  to  the  ser- 
vants of  God  proves  that  they  hate  him. 


1789.  61 

(6.)  It  appears  that  they  are  enemies,  from  the  treat- 
ment Christ  received,  when  he  was  on  earth. 

In  ancient  day3,  men  said,  as  they  do  now,  that  they 
did  not  hate  God.     God  gave  them  an  opportunity  to  shew 
whether  they  did  or  did  not  hate  him,  by  putting  his  Son 
into  their  hands  ;  who  came  among  men,  and  drew  his  own 
character,  and  the  character  of  his  Father  before  the  peo- 
ple.    The  temper  of  Heaven  shone  in  every  step  of  his 
conduct.     Christ   on   the    Cross  illuminated   the  eternal 
throne  of  the  triune  God  ;  and  brought  him  down  to  earth ; 
and  set  him  in  clear  light  before  men.     Did  they  receive 
God  on  earth  with  warm  affection  ?  Did  love  catch  from 
heart  to  heart  wherever  he  went  ?  The  people  saw  him  ; 
and  they  saw  his  Father  :  But  they  hated  him  and  his 
Father.     Christ  himself  said,  "  Ye  have  seen  and  hated 
both  me  and  my  Father."     This  testimony  they  verified 
by  their  cruel  conduct  toward  Christ.     Before  the  tragi- 
cal scene  of  the  cross,  men  had  given  a  specimen  of  their 
enmity  to  God  by  their  cruel  treatment  of  the  Prophets 
and  good  men :  And  they  have  given  the  same  sad  speci- 
men ever  since,  by  their  treatment  of  the  followers   of 
Christ.     But  in  erecting  the  cross  they  gave  a  most  evi- 
dent proof  of  their  enmity.     While  Christ  was  expressing 
the  deepest  humility  —  While  he  was  expressing  every  act 
of  kindness — While  he  was  expressing  tokens  of  his  mis- 
sion and  divinity — While  he  was  stating  the  triune  God 
in  the  most  amiable  light  —  While  he  was  laying  open  the 
glories  of  the  Deity —  While  he  was  agonizing  for  the  sal- 
vation of  men  —  While,  with  melting  tears  and  groans,  he 
was  praying  for  them  ;  they  were  cursing  him  —  they  were 
nailing  him  to  the  cross  —  they  were  insulting  him  —  they 
G 


62  TIIE   MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

were  rejoicing  in  his  misery.  Glaring  expressions  of  en- 
mity !  God  gave  them  opportunity  to  shew  themselves  ; 
He  put  himself  into  their  hands  ;  and  the  heart  poured  forth 
a  torrent  of  enmity.  Here  mankind  stand  on  mount  Cal- 
vary giving  their  own  picture.  Blush,  and  never  open  thy 
mouth  in  vindication  of  thyself ! 

(7.)  It  appears  that  they  are  enemies  from  the  office  of 
Ambassadors  of  Christ. 

Ambassadors  of  our  Lord  are  to  call  on  men  to  be  rec- 
onciled, as  may  appear  in  considering  the  last  general  head. 

When  Ministers  of  Kings  sue  for  peace,  it  supposes 
war.  The  proposals  of  reconciliation  made  by  Ministers 
of  Christ  suppose  enmity.  Why  should  an  order  of  men 
be  set  apart  by  Jesus  Christ,  to  spend  their  days  in  call- 
ing on  men  to  become  friendly  to  God,  if  they  are  not  un- 
friendly ? 

A  nation  in  the  east  was  governed  by  a  wise  Monarch 
of  a  most  benevolent  disposition,  who  sent  Messengers  in- 
to various  parts  of  his  realm,  to  exhort  people  to  turn  to 
their  allegiance.  Near  the  dissolution  of  his  kingdom, 
he  sent  a  Messenger  of  an  extraordinary  character,  that 
devoted  his  life,  in  calling  on  men  to  repent,  and  be  recon- 
ciled to  their  Sovereign.  At  the  same  time  he  sent  his 
Son.  He  had  but  one  Son.  Him  he  sent.  The  Son 
spent  the  time  he  lived,  in  calling  the  Citizens  to  be  recon- 
ciled. The  Son  appointed  others  to  go  on  the  same  er- 
rand. He  likewise  sent  Messengers  to  other  States  and 
kingdoms,  to  invite  them  to  be  reconciled  to  his  Father ; 
for  his  Father  was  their  rightful  Sovereign.  He  continued 
sending  them  many  ages.     On  rational  principles,  we  con- 


judson's  sermon  in  1789.  63 

elude  that  there  was  a  rebellious  spirit  among  the  subjects 
of  that  Monarch.  The  united  call  of  his  Messengers  to 
the  people  to  return  to  their  duty  is  evidential  of  disobedi- 
ence. For  why  should  a  constant  call  be  kept  up  during 
ages,  to  repent  of  rebellion,  and  be  reconciled  ;  unless 
there  was  a  rebellious  spirit  among  them  ? 

The  relation  now  given  is  so  descriptive  of  God — and 
of  the  Israelites  —  of  the  Prophets — Christ — his  Apos- 
tles and  Ministers,  that  the  meaning  is  not  doubtful. 

More  than  fifteen  hundred  years  the  Prophets  called  on 
men  to  turn  to  God :  More  than  seventeen  hundred  years 
the  ministers  of  Christ  have  been  calling  on  men :  Multi- 
tudes have  been  raised  up,  and  commissioned  to  go  and 
say,  "  be  reconciled  to  God"  which  shows  that  men  are 
unreconciled. 

Soon  after  the  fall  of  man  Ambassadors  began  to  call 
for  reconciliation ;  which  shews  that  enmity  began  early 
among  mankind.  They  call,  as  soon  as  we  are  capable  of 
understanding  what  they  say  ;  which  shews,  that  this  sin- 
ful disposition  is  in  us,  in  our  early  age.  Multitudes  have 
been  sent ;  but  they  have  been  unable  to  remove  the  en- 
mity;  grace  divine,  and  nothing  else  can  take  it  away; 
which  shews  that  it  is  deeply  rooted.  They  are  sent  to 
all  people,  to  whom  they  can  go.  In  modern  ages  some 
whole  nations  have  been  addressed  on  the  subject  of  rec- 
onciliation. And  a  future  day  will  open  a  treaty  of  recon- 
ciliation among  all  people.  When  two  hundred  sorrowful 
years  have  carried  on  the  church  through  trouble  and  af- 


64  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

fliction,  the  millenium  will  commence,  [note]  at  which 
time  the  Gospel  will  be  preached  to  every  creature  ;  which 
shews  that  the  whole  race  of  men  is  affected  with  this  evil 
disposition.  Though  they  may  differ  much  in  other  res- 
pects ;  yet  they  agree  in  this  bad  disposition.  Even  the 
best  saint  has  a  degree  of  it  remaining,  that  will  lurk  in  his 
heart,  till  he  dies,  and  taint  all  his  religious  performances. 

If  any  one  should  say,  that  he  feels  no  opposition  to 
God ;  and  therefore  he  concludes,  that  there  is  no  such 
thing  in  human  nature  :  I  beg  leave  to  offer  a  few  reasons 
to  shew  why  men  are  not  sensible  of  the  enmity  of  the 
heart. 

First.  —  Inattention  may  be  a  reason,  that  you  do 
not  see  the  enmity  of  your  heart.  Many  eat  and  drink, 
and  follow  the  busy  scenes  of  life,  and  never  attend  to  the 
exercises  of  their  minds,  to  see  whether  they  are  friends  or 
enemies  to  God.  And  if  this  is  your  case,  it  is  no  evi- 
dence that  you  are  not  an  enemy,  because  you  do  not  see 
it.  You  never  will  see  it,  unless  you  open  an  attentive  eye, 
and  look  into  your  heart. 

Note. —  We  are  led  by  the  2300  days  in  Daniel*  to  find  when  the 
millennium  will  commence.  He  prophesied  that  the  sanctuary  should 
lie  polluted  2300  days,  and  that  then  it  should  be  cleansed.  Sanctuary 
means  the  church  of  God.  A  day  in  Daniel,  signifies  a  year.  The  pol- 
lution that  he  speaks  of  began  a  little  more  than  300  years  before  Christ 
came,  to  which  add  the  time  since  Christ  came,  it  makes  about  2100 
years.  All  this  long  time  the  Church  has  been  low.  afflicted  and  pollut- 
ed by  sin.  When  it  has  been  in  this  low  state  about  200  years  more,  the 
2300*  years  Avill  be  accomplished  :  then  it  will  be  cleansed  :  and  enjoy  an 
happy  glorious  season,  one  thousand  years. 

We  arc  led  by  another  period  predicted  by  Daniel  and  John  to  find 
when  the  millennium  will  begin.  Prophesying  of  the  papal  power  that 
would  arise,  Daniel  tells  us.  that  the  saints  should  be  "  Given  into  his 

*  Dan.  7:  14. 


judson's  sermon  in  1789,  65 

Secondly.  —  False  ideas  of  God  may  be  a  reason  that 
you  do  not  see  your  enmity.  Men  are  inclined  to  reject 
the  true  God.  "  They  do  not  like  to  retain  God  in  their 
knowledge"     They  form  a  character  of  God  agreeably 

hand,  a  time,  and  times,  and  the  dividing  of  time."*  And  that  he  would 
"  scatter  the  people  of  God,  a  time,  times  and  an  half"]  John  in  his  reve- 
lations prophesying  of  this  anti-christian  power  ;  says  that  the  church 
should  be  secured  in  the  wilderness  from  the  face  of  Antichrist,  "  For  a 
time,  and  times,  and  half  a  time."X  Again  speaking  of  this  power,  he 
says,  that  it  shall  tread  under  foot  the  holy  city  42  months.§  "  And  " 
that  •power  was  given  unto  him  to  continue  42  months"  \\  And  that  "  dur- 
ing that  time  the  witnesses  should  prophesy  1260  days  clothed  in  sackcloth"^ 
All  these  numbers  agree,  and  fix  the  duration  of  Antichrist.  A  time  is 
one  year,  times,  two  years,  half  a  time  is  half  a  year.  Which  makes 
three  years  and  a  half.  Counting  30  days  to  the  month,  as  was  usual 
among  the  people,  with  whom  Daniel  and  John  lived,  make  1260  days  ; 
42  months,  counting  30  days  to  a  month,  make  the  same  number.  That 
is,  1260  years  :  for  a  day  in  those  prophecies  signifies  a  year.  The  time 
therefore  of  the  reign  of  Antichrist  is  fixed  to  1260  years.  "When  this 
term  is  expired  he  will  fall,  and  the  millenium  will  take  p'.ace.  He  be- 
came the  oppressive  Antichrist  in  the  sense  ef  these  prophecies,  in  the 
year  756,  when  he  usurped  civil  power.  He  has  reigned  ever  since, 
which  is  1032.  years  which  taken  from  the  whole  time  he  is  to  reign 
leaves  228  years,  for  him  to  reign.  But  as  they  counted  only  360  days 
to  the  year,  we  must  deduct  about  17  years  from  the  228,  which  leaves 
but  a  little  more  than  200  years  for  him  to  continue.  Then  he  will  be 
overthrown  :  and  then  the  glorious  thousand  years  will  begin.  Should 
any  one  smile  at  these  calculations,  he  is  asked  whether  he  has  studied 
the  prophecies  respecting  the  time  of  the  commencement  of  the  millen- 
ium. 

Probably,  the  sabbath  days,  and  sabbatical  years  among  the  Israel- 
ites typified  the  rest  of  the  spiritual  Israel,  in  the  millenium.  They 
were  to  labor  six  days,  and  rest  on  the  seventh  :  they  were  to  labour  six 
years,  and  rest  from  labour  on  the  seventh,  probably  to  signify,  among 
other  reasons,  that  after  the  spiritual  Israel  had  been  afflicted  six  thous- 
and years,  it  should  rest  from  trouble  the  seventh.  If  so,  then  it  will  be 
about  two  hundred  years  to  the  millenium,  for  there  is  wanting  but 
about  two  hundred  years  to  compleat  six  thousand  years,  since  the  crea- 
tion. 

If  we  should  suppose  him  to  be  as  long  in  falling,  as  he  was  in  rising, 
it  will  bring  the  millenium  about  the  same  time.  He  Avas  700  years  in 
rising.  "  The  mystery  ofiniquityn  began  (;  to  ivork"**  in  the  days  of  Paul 
about  the  year  60.  The  Pope  obtained  ecclesiastical  power  over  all  the 
christian  world  in  606.  He  obtained  civil  power  in  756.  So  that  he  was 
700  years  in  rising.  He  has  been  declining  ever  since  the  year  1260, 
which  is  about  500  years.  If  he  should  be  as  long  in  falling  as  he  was 
in  rising,  about  200  years  will  bring  him  to  ruin  ;  and  bring  on  the  hap- 
py millennial  state. 

*  Dan.  vii.  25.    t  Dan.  xii.  7.    +  Rev.  xii.  14.    §  Rev.  xi.  2.    ||  Rev.  xii.  5- 
6*  1  Rev.  xi.  3.    **  Thess.  ii.  7. 


66  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

to  their  taste,  and  love  it.  Hence  think  they  love  God. 
Whereas  they  love  only  a  false  character.  But  this  is  not 
love  to  the  true  God.  It  is  so  far  from  true  love  that  it 
is  enmity.  For  love  to  a  false  God,  is  enmity  to  the  true 
God.  At  least  it  implies  enmity.  Men  are  not  friendly 
to  opposite  characters.  Therefore  though  you  feel  friend- 
ly, as  you  think  to  God,  it  may  be  only  friendship  to  a 
false  character,  which  implies  opposition  to  the  very  God. 
And  if  you  have  not  seen  enmity,  it  is  very  evident  you 
are  an  enemy,  for  all  those  who  know  true  religion,  know 
the  enmity  of  the  heart.  The  Jews  loved  Christ,  when 
they  mistook  his  character  and  design ;  but  when  they 
were  led  to  look  at  his  true  character,  and  real  design,  ex- 
pressed in  his  life,  preaching  and  works,  they  hated  him. 
When  they  supposed  he  came  to  erect  an  earthly  kingdom, 
they  cried  hosanna.  But  when  they  found  worldly  great- 
ness was  not  his  object  —  that  he  despised  wealth — that 
he  had  no  honorary  titles  and  pensions  to  bestow  on  his 
friends  —  that  he  did  not  appear  to  save  them  from  the 
tyranny  of  their  enemies.  When  they  found  that  an  hum- 
ble, holy  life — the  glory  of  God,  and  deliverance  from  a 
self-righteous  spirit,  were  objects  of  his  mission,  they  cried, 
crucify  him.  Similar  to  this  is  sometimes  the  case  of  oth- 
ers. While  they  misunderstand  the  character  and  design 
of  God,  they  feel  friendly  and  think  they  love  God.  But 
when  their  mistaken  ideas  are  removed,  and  the  truth  pre- 
sented, and  in  a  degree  realized,  they  hate  him.  Paul 
was  not  sensible  that  he  was  opposed  to  God,  while  he  had 
wrong  ideas  of  God  ;  but  when  God  made  himself  known 
to  him  by  the  law,  sin  awoke  and  he  saw  it.  The  bloody 
enemy  of  Christ,  who  supposed  himself  a  zealous  worthy 
friend  of  God,  found  himself  a  bitter  enemy ;  and  felt  a 


judson's  sermon  in  1789.  67 

degree  of  it  remaining  in  his  heart  to  his  dying  moment. 
The  same  reason  may  perhaps  apply  to  you.  It  may  be 
you  have  false  notions  of  God,  and  so  think  you  love  him. 
Whereas  should  you  be  brought  to  see  and  realize  his  char- 
acter, you  would  feel  so  much  opposition,  that  you  would 
find  yourself  a  real  enemy  to  God. 

Thirdly.  —  It  may  be  that  you  are  so  hard-hearted 
that  although  you  get  some  just  speculations  of  God,  you 
feel  quite  indifferent  about  him.  Some  men  contemplate 
on  God  with  as  much  indifference,  as  a  Philosopher  does 
on  his  supposed  inhabitants  of  the  Moon.  They  feel  as 
little  about  him,  as  we  do  about  some  great  personage  that 
lived  in  ancient  days.  They  care  as  little  about  heaven, 
as  we  do  about  elegant  Cities  in  China.  All  their  thoughts 
about  God,  are  dry  speculations.  Their  hearts  are  as  un- 
moved as  stones.  When  this  is  the  case,  they  will  not 
feel  enmity.  If  you  belong  to  this  class,  it  is  no  wonder, 
that  you  feel  no  opposition  to  God. 

'Fourthly. — Infidelity  of  heart  maybe  another  rea- 
son, that  you  do  not  see  your  enmity.  There  is  much  in- 
fidelity in  the  depraved  heart  of  man.  When  the  heart 
loves  an  idol,  or  a  false  character,  or  has  no  sense  of  the 
moral  beauty  of  God,  it  is  an  heart  of  infidelity.  "  The 
fool  hath  said  in  his  heart  there  is  no  God"  While  he 
feels  thus,  no  sensible  opposition  rises  against  God.  Should 
your  heart  be  brought  to  feel,  you  would  be  sensible  of 
opposition. 

Fifthly.  —  Men  try  to  keep  their  enmity  out  of  their 
own  sight.  The  thought  of  being  an  enemy  to  God  ap- 
pears so  dreadful,  that  they  do  not  love  to  see  it. 


68  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

Self-righteous  men  build  their  hope  of  salvation  on 
their  goodness.  A  sight  of  their  enmity  kills  their  hope. 
Hence  they  choose  to  keep  it  out  of  sight ;  and  think  as 
"well  of  themselves  as  they  can. 

Awakened  shiners  mean  to  prepare  themselves  to  go  to 
Christ,  by  making  themselves  better.  A  sight  of  their 
hearts  shews  them,  that  they  are  not  growing  better.  This 
gives  them  distress.  Therefore  they  try  to  smother  and 
hide  enmity  from  a  painful  eye. 

Secure  sinners  love  their  ease  :  They  wish  to  be  quiet : 
the  idea  that  they  are  enemies  disturbs  their  rest ;  and 
gives  painful  apprehensions  of  futurity.  And  therefore 
they  wish  to  keep  the  enmity  of  the  heart  buried  out  of 
sight. 

It  is  not  the  least  evidence,  that  you  are  not  an  enemy, 
because  you  do  not  see  it.  No  man  loves  to  see  his  own 
depraved  picture.  It  is  disagreeable  to  see  himself  an 
enemy,  exposed  to  the  pains  of  hell.  He  wishes  to  hide 
it  from  himself  and  from  God. 

4.  "We  shall  consider  the  design  of  sending  Ambassa- 
dors. 

The  design  may  be  comprised  in  two  things :  —  First,  In 
teaching  mankind  the  things  of  religion.  They  are  to 
teach  men  the  character  and  perfections  of  God.  The 
existence  of  God  lies  at  the  foundation  of  religion.  The 
religion  of  men  will  be  according  to  their  ideas  of  God. 
Just  ideas  of  God  will  lead  men  to  just  conclusions  in  re- 
ligion. Wrong  ideas  will  lead  to  false  conclusions  of  the 
nature  of  religion.     It  is  needful  that  mankind  shoidd  be 


judson's  sermon  in  1789.  69 

well  informed  in  this  leading  idea.  Ambassadors  are  sent 
for  this  purpose.  They  are  to  explain  the  character  of 
God,  as  it  is  revealed  in  nature  and  redemption.  And, 
they  are  to  explain  iris  law.  By  the  law  is  the  knowledge 
of  sin.  Without  the  law  they  can  never  understand  their 
fallen  sinful  state.  Therefore  Ambassadors  must  teach  it: 
They  must  enter  into  the  spirit  of  the  law ;  and  shew  what 
it  requires  and  forbids ;  what  the  rewards  and  curses  are. 

And,  they  are  to  exhibit  the  character  of  man.  Men 
must  be  informed,  that  they  are  in  a  sinful  ruined  state ; 
or  they  cannot  repent ;  neither  can  they  see  their  need  of 
a  Saviour.  Ambassadors  must  shew  them  their  sin.  They 
must  endeavour  to  strip  sinners  of  their  refuge  of  lies,  and 
shew  them  their  true  character.  In  doing  this,  it  is  need- 
ful to  explain  the  nature  of  sin ;  and  how  fixed  sinners  are 
in  their  own  destruction.  They  must  tell  them  plainly, 
that  they  are  inimical  to  God,  and  exposed  to  the  pains  of 
hell. 

And,  they  must  preach  a  crucified  Redeemer.  A  cru- 
cified Saviour  is  the  alone  foundation  of  the  hope  of  a 
guilty  creature.  Every  other  foundation  of  hope  will  leave 
a  man  in  ruin.  The  Preacher  must  point  men  to  Calvary 
— to  a  bleeding  Saviour.  He  must  display  him  in  a  just 
light.  He  must  explain  his  exalted  character — The  na- 
ture of  his  mediation — The  design  he  had — his  moral 
character — The  satisfaction  he  made  by  bearing  the  curse 
of  the  Law. 

And,  the  Preacher  must  explain  the  nature  of  repen- 
tance, and  faith;  and  direct  the  wounded  in  spirit  to  the 
cross.  He  must  explain  the  nature  of  reconciliation.  He 
must  get  clear  ideas  himself,  and  preach  them  in  the  plain- 


i 


70  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

est  light.  General  terms,  without  any  precise  meaning, 
will  not  give  instruction.  A  declamatory  discourse  may 
please  the  vanity  of  an  auditory,  for  a  moment ;  but  it  will 
not  inform  the  mind ;  nor  sting  the  conscience  of  the  sin- 
ner ;  nor  edify  the  christian ;  nor  entertain  the  sensible 
man.  Secondly,  When  the  Ambassador  has  informed  the 
mind,  he  must  exhort  them  to  right  exercises  of  heart. 
Having  stated  the  character  of  God,  and  the  nature  of 
reconciliation,  he  must  call  on  them  to  be  reconciled  to 
God.  A  rebellious  world  have  no  reason  to  hate  God. 
His  character  is  most  amiable ;  and  all  his  conduct  most 
righteous. 

They  have  no  reason  to  hate  his  omniscience:  God 
knows  how  to  dispose  of  them  in  the  great  chain  of  his 
providence,  to  promote  the  best  design. 

They  have  no  reason  to  hate  his  wisdom :  He  knows 
what  is  best  to  be  done  with  them ;  and  with  the  whole 
universe — And  how  to  lay  out  the  best  plan  of  govern- 
ment ;  and  how  to  execute  it  hi  the  best  way. 

They  have  no  reason  to  hate  his  eternal  purposes :  he 
knows  how  to  contrive  all  things  now ;  and  he  knew  as  well 
how  to  determine  things  from  eternity.  And  it  was  as 
right  to  determine  them  from  eternity,  as  it  is  at  present. 
His  eternal  determinations  are  under  the  dictates  of  infi- 
nite wisdom  and  goodness.  Who  can  wish  that  infinite 
wisdom  and  goodness  should  not  dictate  ? 

They  have  no  reason  to  hate  him,  as  an  Almighty  Be- 
ing, for  his  power  is  only  improved  in  executing  the  dic- 
tates of  infinite  wisdom  and  holiness. 


judson's  sermon  in  1789.  71 

They  have  no  reason  to  hate  his  mercy.  He  "will 
have  mercy  on  whom  he  will  have  mercy,  and  compassion 
on  ivlwm  he  will  have  compassion."  Men  ought  not  to  be 
uneasy  with  this;  for  he  knows  whom  it  is  best  to  save, 
and  whom  it  is  best  to  leave  to  perish  in  his  sins.  He 
knows  how  to  deal  out  mercy,  to  promote  his  glory,  and 
the  felicity  of  his  friends.  Therefore  he  ought  not  to  be 
hated  for  his  mercy. 

They  have  no  reason  to  hate  his  justice,  in  executing 
punishment.  It  is  not  to  be  expected  that  men  will  love 
pain  as  pain ;  but  it  is  reasonable  that  they  should  love 
justice ;  for  it  is  a  glorious  attribute  of  God.  To  hate 
justice,  is  to  hate  God. 

They  ought  not  to  hate  him  as  law-giver.  The  law  is 
like  himself,  glorious  in  beauty.  With  delight  therefore 
it  ought  to  be  admired  and  obeyed.  Men  ought  to  be  so 
heartily  reconciled  to  the  law,  as  to  say  with  pleasure, 
amen,  when  they  hear  it. 

They  have  no  reason  to  hate  God,  as  absolute  Govern- 
or. It  is  fit  that  he  should  be  at  the  head,  and  determine 
every  event,  in  all  worlds,  from  the  greatest  to  the  least 
—  Give  life  to  man ;  appoint  his  circumstances ;  and  fix 
his  state  for  time  and  eternity.  If  God  does  not  know 
how  to  determine  all  things,  who  does  ?  Shall  not  infinite 
Wisdom  dictate  in  his  own  world,  in  the  disposal  of  his 
own  property  ? 

They  ought  not  to  hate  him  for  his  plan  of  salvation. 
It  is  an  holy  salvation :  It  answers  the  best  ends :  It  glo- 
rifies God ;  It  honours  the  law ;  It  justly  blames  rebellion  ; 
It  lays  the  sinner  in  the  dust ;  and  makes  him  feel  his 
guilty  state  ;  and  cry  to  sovereign  grace  for  pardon. 


72  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

They  have  no  reason  to  hate  him ;  because  he  requires 
an  holy  life.  It  is  proper,  that  they  should  seek  his  glory, 
be  humble  and  kind ;  and  obey  his  precepts.  They  have 
not  one  reason  in  nature  to  be  enemies.  They  ought  to 
lay  down  their  rebellious  arms,  and  be  friendly  to  their 
eternal  Sovereign.  They  ought  to  change  sides,  and  es- 
pouse the  cause  of  the  Lord.  Their  enmity  ought  to  die 
immediately ;  and  pure  benevolence  kindle  and  flame  most 
affectionately.  And  Preachers  ought  to  insist  on  this  to 
the  utmost.  They  should  never  give  up  one  iota  of  this. 
The  excuses  of  men,  be  they  what  they  may,  are  of  no 
weight.  The  very  depravity  of  heart  that  is  plead,  as  an 
excuse,  is  a  reason  for  immediate  reconciliation ;  for  wick- 
edness ought  not  to  be  indulged  a  moment.  The  plea  of 
depravity  should  excite  Ambassadors  to  urge  reconcilia- 
tion with  the  greatest  earnestness.  The  substance  of  all 
their  exhortations  must  tend  to  this  great  subject.  All 
their  arguments  from  reason  and  revelation  must  centre  in 
this  capital  point,  "  Be  ye  reconciled  to  God." 

To  the  Pastor  elect  the  subject  may  with  propriety  be 
applied. 

Dear  Brother,  be  reconciled  to  God. 

Reconciliation  is  to  be  your  theme  in  preaching.  An 
Ambassador,  who  exhorts  others  to  be  reconciled  to  God, 
ought  himself  to  be  reconciled. 

You  are  sent  by  the  Lord  Jehovah  to  his  rebellious 
creatures,  to  exhort  them  to  lay  aside  their  opposition. 
Your  subject  is  of  infinite  moment.  The  welfare  of  souls, 
the  dignity  of  the  divine  law,  and  the  honour  of  the  great 
God  are  concerned.    You  must  stand  between  your  fellow- 


judson's  sermon  in  1789.  73 


sinners,  and  the  holy  Majesty  on  high,  and  call  on  all  men 
to  love  God  with  all  the  heart.  In  doing  this,  you  must 
explain  the  nature  of  love,  the  true  state  of  man,  and  the 
character  of  God,  to  whom  they  are  to  feel  reconciled. 
This  will  lead  you  into  the  criminal  depravity  of  man,  and 
his  woful  state,  and  into  the  deep  things  of  God.  You 
are  to  collect  motives  to  excite  them  to  be  reconciled  from 
the  benevolence  of  God — From  the  deformity  of  sin — 
From  the  perfection  of  the  divine  government — And  from 
the  obligations  men  are  under  to  obey  God.  You  are  to 
shew  them  pale  death,  and  point  them  to  the  coffin,  and 
the  cold  grave,  and  bring  the  solemn  day  of  judgment  to 
view,  to  influence  them  to  be  friendly  to  the  Most  High. 
Your  office  is  sacred  and  solemn.  The  subject  of  your 
study  most  sublime :  More  sublime  than  academic  science 
and  jurisprudence.  Your  own  soul  is  deeply  concerned 
in  that  reconciliation  that  you  are  to  preach  to  others. 
How  important  then  is  it,  that  your  own  heart  should  be 
reconciled  to  God  ?  Can  you  devote  your  days  in  calling 
on  others  to  be  reconciled,  and  indulge  opposition  in  your- 
self? Dear  Brother,  it  will  be  awful  to  go  to  hell  with  the 
word  of  reconciliation  on  your  lips. 

Charity  founded  on  evidence,  obtained  by  personal 
knowledge  of  your  religious  character,  persuades  me,  that 
you  are  induced  by  love  to  undertake  the  office  of  an  Am- 
bassador of  Christ.  Yet  there  is  danger  of  neglecting 
your  duty.  Reconciliation  will  be  a  defence  against  un- 
faithfulness. Therefore  let  it  be  the  reigning  principle  of 
your  heart. 

It  is  the  most  amiable  exercise  that  can  exist  in  the 
mind  of  a  fallen  creature.     It  constitutes  the  beauty  and 

7 


74 


THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 


glory  of  the  christian.  It  is  tie  chief  qualification  of  a 
spiritual  Ambassador.  It  will  lead  him  into  the  depravity 
of  the  human  heart,  and  the  glories  of  the  infinite  God. 
It  will  render  your  work  easy  —  Console  your  mind  in 
distress  —  Prepare  your  heart  to  receive  the  truth — Lead 
your  steps  in  the  path  of  christian  meekness  —  Make  you 
a  faithful  Servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  assist  you  in  form- 
ing clear  sentiments  of  reconciliation.  Under  its  friendly 
influence  you  will  write,  speak,  and  preach  clearly.  Your 
exhortations  will  flow  from  a  warm  experimental  sense  of 
eternal  things.  You  will  deliver  your  sermons,  as  one  that 
believes  the  importance  and  necessity  of  reconciliation. 
Prompted  by  this  best  of  principles,  you  will  submit  to 
God  in  every  state  of  life  ;  and  when  you  shall  be  called 
from  your  service  in  the  church  militant,  you  will  receive 
a  seat  and  a  crown  among  the  reconciled  people  of  God 
in  the  mansions  of  eternal  felicity. 

While  we  were  attending  to  the  address,  made  to  our 
young  fellow  Servant,  we  felt  the  propriety  of  applying 
the  subject  of  reconciliation  to  ourselves,  the  ministers  of 
Christ, 

MY  Fathers  and  Brethren,  we  are  on  a  level  with  our 
fellow  worms.  We  hold  a  rank  among  the  rebels  of  God. 
We  experimentally  believe  the  opposition  of  the  human 
heart.  We  see  it,  and  mourn  under  it.  We  are  misera- 
ble sinners  by  nature.  A  degree  of  enmity  lurks  in  the 
heart  of  the  best.  Paul  was  not  wholly  freed  from  it,  till 
he  was  called  away  by  death.  This  base  principle  makes 
us  too  lifeless  in  the  execution  of  our  office.  Warm  friend- 
ship would  make  us  zealous.  It  would  influence  us  to  de- 
liver plain  truths  with  a  solemnity.     The  greatest  spring 


judson's  sermon  in  1789.  75 

to  faithfulness  is  reconciliation.  Let  it  kindle,  and  flame, 
and  press  us  on  to  duty.  Remember  that  God  is  worthy 
of  a  reconciled  heart  —  that  his  cause  is  glorious  and 
worthy  of  pursuit. 

Every  consideration  invites  to  arise,  and  call,  "  Be  ye 
reconciled  to  God."  Inattention  is  prevalent.  Iniquity 
abounds.  Infidelity  scoffs,  and  with  a  brazen  front  bids 
defiance.  God  is  every  where  spoken  against.  Our  day 
for  labour  will  soon  end.  See  yonder,  declining  under 
infirmities,  our  worthy  and  aged  Father,  who  hath  worn 
out  a  life  in  this  place,  in  calling  on  this  people  to  be  rec- 
onciled to  God.  By  him  we  are  admonished.  We  go 
from  the  pulpit  to  a  dying  bed  — •  From  a  dying  bed  to  the 
grave,  and  to  the  judgment  scat.  Let  us  be  reconciled  to 
God.  Let  us  harmoniously  unite  in  affection  to  him.  Let 
us  unite  to  each  other  in  that  love,  that  "  Many  waters 
cannot  quench."  And  with  one  voice  cry  to  our  perish- 
ing fellow-sinners,  "  Be  ye  reconciled  to  God" 

In  this  language  we  will  now  address  our  subject  to  the 
church  and  congregation  in  this  place. 

Men,  Brethren  and  Fathers,  by  your  desire  we  are 
here.  You  have  harmoniously  called  a  man  to  settle,  as 
colleague  with  your  worthy  Pastor,  whose  infirmities  re- 
quire assistance.  The  young  man  is  to  devote  his  days  in 
calling  upon  you  to  be  reconciled. 

If  he  must  call ;  you  ought  to  comply.  Attend  to  his 
instruction  and  be  friendly  to  God.  Make  your  peace 
with  the  Almighty,  and  rebel  no  more.  The  ministry  of 
reconciliation  is  an  infinite  blessing.  You  are  favoured 
above  most  societies  that  settle  ministers.     Without  noise 


76  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

and  contention  —  Without  a  long  trial  of  candidates,  you 
are  come  to  the  happy  hour  of  ordination.  But  if  you 
should  not  be  reconciled  to  God,  all  the  great  blessings  of 
the  ministry  of  reconciliation  will  prove  a  curse.  It  will 
be  dreadful  to  go  from  the  voice  of  reconciliation  to  end- 
less despair.  By  the  word  of  reconciliation  —  By  all  its 
attendant  blessings  —  By  the  glory  it  gives  to  God  —  By 
the  advantage  it  gives  to  Zion — By  the  good  it  brings  to 
individuals,  to  your  families,  town  and  church,  we  entreat 
you  to  be  reconciled  to  God.  It  will  make  you  happy  in 
life.  It  will  make  you  happy  in  a  dying  moment.  Hap- 
piness will  attend  you  forever  in  the  world  of  eternal  joy. 

To  this  great  assembly,  convened  from  different  places, 
we  close  with  a  few  words. 

You  live  in  a  land  where  Christ  hath  Ambassadors. 
The  word  of  reconciliation  is  sent  to  you.  You  are  called 
upon  to  be  friendly  to  God.  You  ought  not  to  delay  this 
great  duty  one  moment.  God  is  as  worthy  of  your  love 
now,  as  he  will  be  in  future.  We  entreat  you  to  be  friendly 
to  him.  By  the  sorrows  of  our  Saviour  in  the  garden  — 
By  his  agonies  on  the  cross  —  By  his  blood  that  was  spilt 
to  sprinkle  the  soul — By  his  solemn  threatenings  —  And 
by  his  kind  invitations,  "  We  pray  you— he  ye  reconciled 
to  God."  You  must  agonize  in  death.  You  must  enter 
the  eternal  world,  and  appear  before  the  omnipotent  Ma- 
jesty. You  will  be  called  to  the  bar  of  Christ  in  the  day 
of  judgment.  You  will  see  the  world  burning  below,  and 
the  Lord  Jesus  punishing  his  enemies.  In  these  critical 
seasons  it  will  be  important  to  be  found  among  the  friends 
of  God. 


On  the  Judgment  of  the  Great  Day. 


A  SERMON  by  EPHPvAIM  JUDSON,  A.  M. 


jude,  verse  6. 
Unto  the  judgment  of  the  great  day. 

THIS  text  calls  the  attention,  to  the  day,  on  which,  the 
Judge  of  the  world  hath  appointed  a  tribunal  for  the 
trial  of  mankind.  In  treating  upon  it,  I  shall  offer  some 
considerations  to  show,  that  God  will  judge  mankind — that 
when  he  judges  them,  he  will  gather  them  together — and 
that  the  day,  on  which  he  will  judge  them,  will  be  a  great 
day. 

I.  Some  considerations  are  to  be  offered  to  show,  that 
God  will  judge  mankind.     And, 

1.  People,  who  have  had  the  knowledge  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  have  universally,  except  a  very  few,  believed, 
that  they  contain  the  doctrine,  that  God  will  judge  the 
world.  It  was  a  prevalent  belief  among  the  Israelites, 
who  had  the  writings  of  Moses  and  the  prophets.  It  has 
been  the  general  opinion  of  all  classes  of  people  in  the 
christian  world,  ever  since  the  gospel  was  published.  The 
sober,  honest  class  of  people  have  believed  it.     The  wick- 


78  TIIE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUXTOX. 

cd,  though  they  perceive  that  it  is  pointed  against  them- 
selves, feel  as  if  it  were  a  scriptural  truth.  Even  infidels 
allow,  that  it  is  taught  in  the  Bible.  The  abandoned,  in 
a  dying  moment,  tremble  at  the  prospect  of  appearing 
before  their  judge.  That  class  of  men,  of  whom  there 
has  ever  been  a  goodly  number  in  the  christian  world,  who 
have  been  more  wise,  learned  and  civilized — more  free 
from  enthusiasm  and  superstition,  than  infidels  and  the 
most  learned  pagans,  have  entertained  an  unshaken  belief, 
that  they  must  appear  at  the  tribunal  of  God.  Wherever 
the  Bible  has  been  received  among  the  nations,  people 
have  learnt  that  God  is  a  judge,  and  that  they  are  account- 
able to  him. 

This  general  belief,  that  God  will  judge  the  world,  is 
contrary  to  every  natural  bias  of  fallen  creatures.  The 
human  heart  spurns  at  the  idea.  It  abhors  the  heaven, 
which  the  Judge  will  give  the  righteous.  With  pain  it 
reflects  on  the  punishment,  that  he  will  inflict  on  the  wick- 
ed. It  is  deeply  wounded,  when  it  considers  itself  in  the 
hands  of  an  almighty  sovereign,  who  will  come  arrayed  in 
all  the  majesty  of  a  judge  to  try  mankind,  and  doom  im- 
penitent sinners  to  everlasting  woe. 

SEXTiMEXTS,thus  abhorrent  to  the  feelings  of  the  wick- 
ed heart,  are  seldom,  perhaps  never,  invented  and  propa- 
gated by  mankind.  When  depraved  minds  invent  false 
principles,  and  explain  scripture  in  a  wrong  sense,  with  a 
view  to  support  their  principles,  they  invent  such,  and  give 
such  explanations,  as  are  agreeable  to  the  evil  heart. 

Hexce,  it  is  highly  probable,  that  the  doctrine  of  a  day 
of  judgment  is  not  an  invention  of  men.  They  would  not 
have  invented  a  sentiment  so  disagreeable  to  the  vile  heart. 
However,  if  a  few  enthusiasts  or  designing  men,  had  in- 


judson's  sermon  in  1790.  79 

vented  it,  and  endeavoured  to  impose  it  on  the  world,  the 
feelings  of  mankind  would  have  prevented  its  gaining  gen- 
eral credit.  It  seems  incredible,  that  human  invention 
should  give  rise,  support  and  prevalency,  in  all  ages, 
among  all  people  who  have  the  Bible,  to  a  sentiment,  so 
utterly  averse  to  the  depraved  heart;  provided  it  is  not 
contained  in  scripture. 

2.  We  are  accountable  to  ourselves  and  to  others. 

We  erect  a  kind  of  tribunal  in  our  own  breasts,  before 
which  we  summon  our  actions ;  and  justify  and  condemn 
ourselves,  according  as  our  actions  appear  to  us  right  or 
wrong.  Self-justification  and  self-condemnation  give  us 
mental  pleasure  and  pain.  In  this  sense  we  act  as  judges 
of  ourselves — we  try,  and  reward  ourselves  with  pleasure, 
and  punish  ourselves  with  pain.  Whether  our  principles 
be  just  or  most  vile,  we  do  this. 

We  likewise  feel  accountable  to  others.  Their  eyes  are 
upon  us ;  they  inspect  our  conduct ;  and  judge  of  the  merit 
and  demerit  of  our  actions.  And,  if  our  actions  appear 
to  be  good,  we  have  their  approbation  and  esteem :  but  if 
our  actions  appear  base,  they  despise  us.  Their  esteem 
gives  us  a  degree  of  pleasure.  Their  abhorrence  gives  us 
a  degree  of  pain.  In  this  sense  we  stand  at  the  bar  of 
our  fellow  men  who  try,  reward  and  punish  us.  Every 
man  stands  before  the  public,  and  is  treated,  in  a  measure, 
according  to  his  character.  Besides,  tribunals  are  appoint- 
ed in  all  human  governments,  to  which  the  subjects  are 
accountable,  and  before  which  they  are  tried,  acquitted  or 
condemned. 

And  shall  we  object  against  being  accountable  to  God ; 
and  of  being  judged  by  him  ?  Are  we  not  his  creatures  ? 
Are  we  not  dependent  on  him  ?     Has  he  not  a  right  to 


80  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

inspect  the  work  of  his  own  hands,  and  call  his  rational 
beings  to  an  account?  Can  we  object  to  this,  since  we  do 
the  same  ourselves  ?  If  it  be  proper  for  us,  it  is  proper 
for  God  to  inspect  characters,  try  and  judge  them.  If  so, 
we  may  expect  that  he  will ;  for  he  will  conduct  with  pro- 
priety. 

3.  God  displays  his  character  as  judge,  in  this  world, 
which  is  an  argument,  that  he  will  act  as  a  judge,  in  the 
world  to  come.  He  judged  all  the  children  of  men  in  the 
days  of  Noah.  He  is  represented  as  casting  his  eye  upon 
the  earth  to  examine  the  moral  state  of  the  sons  of  men. 
God  looked  upon  the  earth  and  behold  it  ivas  corrupt,  for 
all  flesh  hath  corrupted  his  way  upon  the  earth*  But 
concerning  Noah  God  said:  For  thee  have  I  seen  righteous 
before  me  in  this  generation.^  Having  examined  their 
conduct,  he  passed  sentence  in  the  following  words:  I  will 
destroy  man,  whom  I  have  created,  from  the  face  of  the 
earth.  $  But  with  thee,  that  is  with  Noah,  will  I  establish 
my  covenant  and  thou  shalt  come  into  the  ark.§  In  a 
proper  time,  he  executed  the  sentence.  He  commanded, 
and  the  rain  fell  from  above,  the  seas  forsook  their  beds, 
and  took  their  station  on  the  land,  carrying  ruin  and  death 
in  every  place.  In  the  ark,  God  carried  Noah  in  safety 
through  the  horrid  tempest,  on  the  top  of  the  foaming 
waters. 

God  acted  as  a  judge  towards  the  cities  of  Sodom.  He 
is  represented  a3  corning  down  from  heaven  to  examine 
the  Sodomites.  I  will  go  down  now  and  see,  whether  they 
have  done  altogether  according  to  the  cry  of  it  which  is 
come  unto  me;  if  not,  1  icill  knoiv.\\     Having  examined 

*  Gen.  vi.  12.  t  Gen.  vii.  1.  J  Gen.  vi.  7. 

$  Gen.  vi.  18.  ||  Gen.  xviii.  21. 


judson's  sermon  in  1790.  81 

their  characters,  and  found  them  guilty,  the  sentence  of 
destruction  followed,  which  was  executed;  at  the  rising  of 
the  morning  sun,  while  all  felt  secure,  a  tremendous  storm 
of  fire  and  brimstone  fell  from  the  Lord  out  of  heaven, 
which  consumed  the  people,  and  burnt  up  their  cities. 

God  acted  as  a  judge  towards  Egypt,  towards  the  Isra- 
elites in  the  wilderness,  and  the  inhabitants  of  Canaan. 
lie  passed  a  sentence  of  destruction  against  Pharaoh  and 
his  armies,  against  the  rebellious  Israelites  in  the  wilder- 
ness, against  the  idolatrous  nations  of  Canaan;  because 
they  were  sinners.  And  he  executed  the  sentence.  He 
reached  forth  his  arm,  and  smote  all  those  wicked  people 
with  ruin  and  death.  Among  those  vile  rebels,  were  some, 
who  feared  God;  as  Moses,  Caleb,  Joshua,  Rahab  and 
others.  His  sentence,  concerning  those  good  people,  was, 
that  he  would  save  them.  And  he  put  his  decree  in  exe- 
cution, by  making  them  the  subjects  of  his  favor. 

He  acted  as  a  judge  towards  the  Jews.  Because  they 
killed  wise  men  and  prophets,  and  put  his  son  to  death,  he 
fated  them  to  more  dreadful  evils,  than  ever  befel  any 
nation.  But  because  Christ's  disciples  were  not  partakers 
in  the  vile  deeds  of  their  countrymen,  a  token  was  given, 
by  which  they  might  know,  when  the  ruin  of  Jerusalem 
would  be  near,  that  they  might  escape  the  approaching 
calamity.  The  sentence,  that  God  passed,  was  executed. 
He  raised  up  the  Roman  enemy,  and  sent  them  against 
the  Jews,  who  destroyed  their  cities,  slew  multitudes  of 
people,  carried  the  rest  into  captivity.  The  christians  saw 
the  devouring  enemy  approaching  with  the  ensign  of*  an 
eagle,  viewed  it  as  the  token,  which  Christ  had  given; 
accordingly  fled  from  Jerusalem  to  Pella,  and  escaped  the 
calamities  of  the  city. 


82  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

Tins  conduct  of  the  Most  High  is  similar  to  that,  which 
he  will  display  in  the  day  of  Judgment.  He  will  then 
act,  as  a  judge.  He  will  examine  characters.  He  will 
pass  sentence.  And  he  will  execute  it.  Which  will  bo 
doing,  just  as  he  does  in  this  world.  We  cannot,  there- 
fore, object  to  his  judging  us  in  a  future  state,  without 
virtually  objecting  to  what  he  docs  in  the  present  state. 

Some  say,  it  is  inconsistent  with  the  justice  and  good- 
ness of  God  to  treat  his  creatures,  as  is  represented  that 
he  will,  in  judging  them  in  a  future  state.  Therefore, 
they  believe,  that  he  never  will.  But  they  may  as  well 
say,  that  it  is  inconsistent  with  his  justice  and  goodness  to 
treat  his  creatures,  as  he  does  in  this  world.  They  may 
with  the  same  reason  say,  that  a  just  and  good  Being 
would  not  deluge  a  world,  and  save  Noah ;  commit  the 
Sodomites  to  the  fire,  and  rescue  Lot;  fate  Jerusalem  to 
the  sword,  faction,  famine,  and  fire,  and  deliver  the  disci- 
ples of  Christ ;  and  on  the  same  principle  infer,  that  those, 
and  a  multitude  of  other  well  authenticated  events  of  the 
same  complexion,  never  did  take  place.  But  it  is  evident 
from  scripture,  that  they  did.  Hence,  we  cannot  object 
to  a  day  of  judgment  on  account  of  the  manner  in  which 
God  will  treat  us,  at  that  time. 

But  his  judging  us  in  this  world  does  something  more, 
than  obviate  the  above  objection.  It  proves  that  God  will 
judge  us  in  the  world  to  come. 

Acting  as  a  judge  shows,  that  the  character  of  a  judge 
belongs  to  him.  To  complete  the  character,  and  make  it 
appear  just,  he  must  finally  treat  every  one,  as  he  deserves. 
This  he  doth  not  do  in  this  life.  So  far  as  he  judges, 
he  judges  righteously.  But  he  doth  not  finish  the  work. 
He  gives  to  his  people  but  a  small  part  of  the  reward  of 


judson's  sermon  in  1790.  83 

grace.  He  punishes  sinners  here  infinitely  less,  than  they 
deserve.  An  exact  distribution  of  rewards  and  punish- 
ments is  not  observed,  in  the  administration  of  his  govern- 
ment, among  men  here  below.  Sinners  are  not  treated 
alike.  Some,  of  most  vile  characters,  are  punished  less, 
than  some,  who  are  less  vile.  A  tyrant  lives  in  ease  and 
pleasure  ;  millions  suffer  extreme  distress  from  his  cruel 
sword,  and  wide  ravages.  An  hard  master  enjoys  health, 
and  lives  luxuriously  on  the  effects  of  the  labor  of  wretch- 
ed slaves ;  the  servant,  a  better  man  than  his  master,  is 
in  want  of  all  things,  and  finally  dies  under  the  whip. 
Some  good  men  have  an  harder  lot,  than  some  wicked 
men.  A  persecuting  monster  of  cruelty,  who  feasts  a 
malicious  eye  on  the  tortures  of  the  persecuted,  enjoys 
himself  in  a  palace :  the  humble  benevolent  christian  per- 
ishes in  a  filthy  dungeon,  or  on  the  rack,  or  at  the  stake. 
A  Dives  ivas  clothed  in  purple  and  fine  linen,  and  fared 
sumptuously  every  day  :*  A  Lazarus,  covered  with  sores, 
lay  at  his  gate,  on  the  damp  earth,  cold  and  hungry,  un- 
pitied,  unless  by  dogs.  No  doctrine  is  more  apparently 
true,  than  that,  which  announces,  that  there  is  not  an 
equal  distribution  of  rewards  and  punishments  in  this  life. 
Our  Lord  gave  his  testimony  to  the  truth  of  it,  in  that 
part  of  his  parable  concerning  Dives  and  Lazarus,  which 
represents  Abraham,  as  saying  to  the  rich  man  in  Hell, 
thou  in  thy  life  time  receivedst  thy  good  things,  and  Laz- 
arus likeivise  evil  things.f  Hence  it  may  be  inferred, 
that  he  will  act,  as  man's  judge  in  a  future  state,  and  give 
every  one  a  clue  reward,  that  he  may  be,  and  appear,  a 
righteous  judge. 

*  Luke  xvi.  19.  t  Luke  xvi.  25. 


84  THE   MINISTRY   OP   TAUNTOX. 

Fkom  the  judicial  acts  of  God,  the  Holy  Spirit  argues 
the  certainty  of  a  day  of  judgment.  Let  us  recite  two 
passages,  which  contain  this  mode  of  arguing.  One  is  in 
an  epistle  of  Peter's.  It  is  expressed  thus :  For  if  God 
spared  not  the  angels,  that  sinned  but  cast  them  down  to 
hell,  and  delivered  them  into  chains  of  darkness,  to  be  re- 
served unto  judgment.  And  spared  not  the  old  world, 
but  saved  Noah  the  eighth  person  —  and  turning  the  cities 
of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  into  ashes,  condemned  them  with 
an  overthrow,  making  them  an  example  unto  those  that 
after  should  live  ungodly.  And  delivered  just  Lot —  The 
Lord  knoiveih  hoio  to  deliver  the  godly  out  of  temptations, 
and  to  reserve  the  unjust  unto  the  day  of  judgment  to  be 
p>unished*  The  other  passage  is  in  Jude.  And  is  as 
follows.  I  iv 'ill  therefore  put  you  in  remembrance  though 
ye  once  knew  this,  how  that  the  Lord,  having  saved  the 
people  out  of  the  Land  of  Egypt,  afterward  destroyed 
them  that  believed  not.  And  the  angels  which  kept  not 
their  first  estate,  but  left  their  own  habitation  he  Jtath  re- 
served in  everlasting  chains  under  darkness  unto  the  judg- 
ment of  the  great  day.  Even  as  Sodom  and  Gomorrah, 
and  the  cities  about  them  in  like  manner  giving  themselves 
over  to  fornication,  and  going  after  strange  flesh  are  set 
forth  for  an  example,  suffering  the  vengeance  of  eternal 
fircf  The  obvious  sense  of  these  passages  is  this.  Since 
God  did  doom  the  sinning  angels  to  a  state  of  despair,  and 
holds  them  in  his  power  with  a  determination  to  judge 
them  in  the  great  day ;  and  poured  out  his  judgments  on 
the  old  world,  Sodom,  and  the  unbelieving  Israelites ;  and 
saved  Noah  and  Lot  from  the  evils,  that  fell  on  those  sin- 
ners ;  he  will  judge  all  in  the   great  day,  and  execute  his 

*  2  Peter  ii.  4,  5,  6,  7,  9.  t  Jude,  verses  5,  6,  7. 


judson's  sermon  in  1790.  85 

vengeance  on  the  ungodly,  and  save  the  righteous.  By 
these  instances  God  hath  told  us,  that  a  day  is  appointed 
for  our  trial,  and  what  the  event  will  be. 

4.  God  hath  given  laws  to  mankind.  This  is  not  dis- 
puted. All  agree  that  he  hath  not  left  his  rational  crea- 
tures to  live  as  they  list  without  regard  to  right  or  wrong. 
Should  one  plead  that  God  hath  given  us  license  to  blas- 
pheme his  holy  name,  and  liberty  to  injure  and  abuse  one 
another,  people  would  think  he  ought  to  be  confined  in  a 
mad  house.     The  laws  of  God  contain  the  following  things. 

First,  They  point  out  man's  duty,  and  require  him  to 
do  it.  If  we  exclude  the  idea  of  duty,  we  exclude  the 
idea  of  law.  For  that  cannot  be  law,  which  does  not  re- 
quire any  thing  of  us. 

Secondly,  The  laws  of  God  are  sanctioned  with  prom- 
ises of  blessings  to  those,  who  obey  them,  and  with  threat 
enings  of  evil  to  those,  who  disobey.  For  instance,  the 
law  of  faith  promises  eternal  life  to  believers,  and  threat- 
ens the  unbeliever  with  everlasting  punishment.  If  no 
promises  and  threatenings  were  annexed  to  the  laws  of. 
God,  there  would  be  no  motive  to  obey  them.  Conse- 
quently, there  would  be  no  force  in  his  laws.  It  would 
answer  no  good  end  to  issue  precepts  unattended  with 
motives.  There  are  no  motives,  but  what  are  contained 
in  the  promises  and  threats.  They  hold  up  evil  and  good 
as  excitements  to  fear  and  hope,  to  induce  us  to  avoid  sin 
and  serve  God.  They  show  the  tendency,  that  holiness 
and  sin  have  to  promote  public  happiness  and  misery,  to 
excite  action  upon  the  principle  of  benevolence.  Promises 
and  threats  exhibit  the  true  and  glorious  character  of  the 
Most  High,  whose  character  is  a  proper  motive,  or  object 
of  friendly  affection  to  him.     These  are  motives  contained 


86  THE   MINISTRY    OF   TAUNTON. 

in  the  sanctions  of  the  laws  of  God.  Besides  these,  there 
is  not  a  motive.  Without  these,  there  would  be  no  motive 
to  excite  obedience.  Therefore,  they  are  necessary,  and 
what  in  our  ideas  are  involved  in  divine  laws. 

Thirdly,  The  promises  and  threatenings  will  take  place. 
In  this  view  they  have  influence.  For  it  is  the  expecta- 
tion, that  the  threats  will  be  realized,  which  makes  them  a 
terror  to  evil  doers.  It  is  the  prospect,  that  promised 
blessing  will  be  granted,  which  excites  hope,  and  puts  us 
in  pursuit  of  future  promised  good.  It  is  the  prospect, 
that  God  will  bless  his  people,  and  punish  his  enemies, 
that  his  truth,  grace  and  justice -appear,  which  are  objects, 
that  excite  proper  sensations  of  heart  towards  him.  Were 
the  promises  and  threatenings  never  to  take  place,  all  the 
motives,  which  they  contain  would  be  a  nullity.  Instead 
of  exciting  reverence  for  the  laws,  they  would  excite  con- 
tempt. Hence  it  appears  necessary,  that  his  laws  should 
be  executed.  Every  good  thing  promised  to  the  believer 
must  be  granted,  according  to  the  genuine  import  of  the 
promises.  And  all  the  terrible  things  denounced  against 
the  -wicked  must  be  inflicted,  according  to  the  spirit,  and 
true  sense  of  the  threatenings. 

But  in  this  life,  the  promises  and  threats  are  not  fulfill- 
ed. He  does  not  give  his  people  all  the  blessings  prom- 
ised. Infinitely  the  greatest  are  yet  to  be  granted. 
Neither  does  he  inflict  all  the  evil  threatened.  The  infi- 
nite evil  of  sin,  and  inequality  of  inflicted  punishments  in 
this  life,  are  indubitable  evidences,  that  threatenings  are 
not  completely  executed  here.  Therefore,  mankind  must 
be  judged  hereafter  in  a  future  state,  that  the  promises 
and  threatening  may  take  place. 


judson's  sermon  in  1790.  87 

5.  In  plain  and  positive  language  the  scriptures  teach 
us,  that  God  will  judge  mankind ;  and  that  a  day  is  ap- 
pointed for  that  purpose. 

For  the  works  of  man  shall  he  render  unto  him,  and 
cause  every  man  to  find  according  to  his  ways*  Rejoice, 
0  young  man,  in  thy  youth;  and  let  thy  heart  cheer  thee 
in  the  days  of  thy  youth,  and  walk  in  the  ways  of  thine 
heart,  and  in  the  sight  of  thine  eyes:  but  know  thou,  that 
for  all  these  things  God  will  bring  thee  into  judgment.^ 
God  shall  bring  every  work  into  judgment  ivith  every  se- 
cret thing,  whether  it  be  good,  or  whether  it  be  evil.\  For 
thine  eyes  are  open  upon  all  the  ways  of  the  sons  of  men, 
to  give  every  one  according  to  his  ivays,  and  according  to 
the  fruit  of  his  doings. §  For  we  shall  all  stand  before 
the  judgment  seat  of  Christ. \\  In  the  day  when  he  shall 
judge  the  secrets  of  men.^  Because  he  hath  appoiyxted  a 
day  in  the  which,  he  will  judge  the  world  in  righteousness** 

Christ  frequently  spake  of  the  day  of  judgment.  And 
whenever  he  did,  he  considered  it  as  an  event,  that  would 
infallibly  take  place.  The  instances  are  too  many  to  be 
mentioned  now.     Let  one  suffice. 

On  a  certain  time,  when  circumstances  gave  him  a  fa- 
vorable opportunity,  he  introduced  it,  by  delivering  a  par- 
able. The  substance  may  be  expressed  in  the  following 
words.  A  man,  being  about  to  go  a  long  journey,  called 
his  servants  together,  and  delivered  to  each  one  a  sum  of 
money,  and  ordered  them  to  improve  it  well,  that  he  might 
reap  profit  from  it  on  his  return.  He  went  his  journey, 
and  after  long  absence  returned,  and  reckoned  with  the 
servants.     He  found,  that  two  of  them  had  been  faithful. 

*  Job  xxxiv.  11.  t  Ecc.  xi.  9.  J  Ecc.  xii.  14. 

§  Jcr.  xxxii.  19.  ||  Rom.  xiv.  10.  f  Rom.  ii.  16. 

**  Acts  xvii.  31. 


88  TIIE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

Those  he  received  into  liis  favor.  He  found,  that  one  had 
been  unfaithful.  Him  he  cast  off,  and  gave  him  up  to  the 
tormentors. 

By  the  parable  he  signified,  that  he  was  about  to  go 
away;  but  would  return  after  a  long  time.  "I  shall  leave 
the  world  soon,  and  go  to  my  Father,  and  dwell  with  him 
a  long  time ;  then  I  will  come  to  the  earth  again,  and  reck- 
on with  mankind  to  see  what  improvement,  they  have  made 
of  the  privileges  and  abilities,  which  I  have  given  them. 
Those  who  are  faithful,  I  will  admit  to  my  favor;  but 
those,  who  are  not,  shall  be  cast  off,  and  given  up  to  suffer 
extreme  sorrow  and  pain." 

When  he  had  thus  introduced  the  subject,  he  proceed- 
ed to  a  particular  information  of  what  he  would  do,  when 
he,  the  son  of  man,  should  come.  When  the  son  of  man 
shall  come  —  then  shall  he  sit  upon  the  throne  of  his  glory  : 
And  before  him  shall  be  gathered  all  nations  ;  and  lie  shall 
separate  them  one  from  another,  as  a  shepherd  divideth  his 
sheep  from  the  goats :  and  he  shall  set  the  sheep  on  his 
right  hand,  but  the  goats  on  his  left.  Then  shall  the  Icing 
sag  unto  them  on  his  right  hand,  come  ye  blessed  of  my 
Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  fbr  you  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world.  Then  shall  he  say  also  unto 
them  on  the  left  hand,  depart  from  me,  ye  cursed  into 
everlasting  fire  prepared  for  the  devil  and  his  angels* 
If  language  can  communicate  sentiments,  the  certainty  of 
a  day  of  judgment  is  expressed  by  Christ  in  these  words. 

II.  On  that  day,  all  mankind  will  be  collected  together. 

When  Saint  John  had  the  day  of  judgment  represented 
to  him  in  a  vision,  he  saw  the  dead  small  and  great  stand 
before    God.f     Saint    Paul   testified,  that,   we  shall  all 

*  Mat.  xxv.  31,  32,  33,  34,  41.  t  Rev.  xx.  12. 


judson's  sermon  in  1790.  89 

stand  before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ.  Our  Lord, 
you  recollect,  said,  that  before  him  all  nations  should  be 
gathered.  Several  things  may  be  offered  to  show  why, 
they  will  be  summoned  to  appear  together  before  Christ's 
tribunal. 

1.  In  instances  of  judging  people  in  this  life,  God  has 
made  his  judicial  proceedings  public.  That  which  respect- 
ed Adam,  has  been  known  in  every  age,  since  it  took 
place.  Those  relative  to  Egypt,  Assyria,  the  Jews,  and 
a  multitude  of  others,  too  well  known  to  need  a  recital, 
were  public  at  the  times,  in  which  they  took  place,  and 
ever  since  ;  and  will  be  to  all  in  future  time,  who  will  be 
acquainted  with  the  Bible.  Hence  it  is  rational  to  con- 
clude, that  in  judging  the  world,  he  will  do  it  in  such  a 
manner,  as  that  his  proceedings,  in  that  great  affair,  will 
be  publicly  known.  Instances  of  judging  people,  and  na- 
tions here,  though  in  themselves  vastly  important,  and  an- 
swering many  wise  ends ;  yet  compared  with  judging  the 
world,  and  ends  to  be  answered  by  it,  become  cyphers. 
Are  these  comparatively  inconsiderable  judicial  acts  ex- 
hibited to  public  view;  we  may  conclude,  that  God  will 
act  in  the  most  public  manner  in  an  affair  of  such  infinite 
magnitude,  as  that  of  completing  his  judicial  proceedings, 
by  judging  a  whole  world.  And  we  may  add,  angels  and 
devils.  For  they  will  be  judged  at  that  time.  The  infer- 
ence from  his  judging  in  that  public  manner,  which  we 
have  reason  to  think  that  he  will,  is,  that  all  will  be  called 
together  to  give  an  opportunity  to  make  his  proceedings 
known. 

2.  By  making  his  judicial  acts  public,  he  glorifies  him- 
self.    I  will  get  me  honor  upon  Pharaoh ,  upon  all  his 

8* 


00  THE  MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

host,  upon  his  chariots  and  horsemen*  For  this  same 
purpose  have  I  raised  thee  up  that  I  might  shew  my  power 
in  thee,  and  that  my  name  might  be  declared  throughout 
all  the  earth.^  The  song,  that  Israel  sang  at  the  over- 
throw of  that  haughty  monarch,  hath  for  its  leading  idea 
the  glory  which  God  displayed  in  the  terrible  judgments, 
which  were  inflicted  on  him.  When  God  judged  Israel  in 
the  wilderness,  and  doomed  them  to  death  and  ruin,  he 
testified,  that,  by  that  act,  he  would  give  a  most  illustrious 
display  of  himself.  As  truly  as  I  live,  all  the  earth  shall 
be  filled  with  the  glory  of  the  Lord.%  When  he  shall  judge 
all  mankind,  which  will  be  a  work,  that  will  infinitely  tran- 
scend all  his  past  works  of  this  nature,  it  may  be  expected, 
that  he  will  make  most  illustrious  displays  of  himself.  But 
we  have  more  evidence  of  this,  than  what  rises  from  infer- 
ence. The  doxology,  that  will  be  sung,  in  the  day,  when 
God  shall  pass  sentence  upon  all,  is  expressive  of  the  great 
glory,  that  he  will  get  by  it.  "Alleluia:  salvation,  and 
glory,  and  honor,  and  power  unto  the  Lord  our  God.  For 
true  and  righteous  are  his  judgments,  and  again  they  said, 
Alleluia."  "  And  her  smoke  rose  up  for  ever  and  ever." 
To  see  the  display  that  God  will  make  of  himself,  there  is 
the  utmost  propriety  of  his  assembling  all  mankind  before 
his  tribunal.  For  how  will  his  glory  appear,  unless  man- 
kind be  called  together  to  see  it. 

By  being  present,  they  will  have  an  opportunity  of  see- 
ing the  difficulties  and  objections  removed,  which  they 
have  against  the  maimer  of  his  government  of  the  world. 
Now  they  blame  God.  They  think,  he  might  have  made 
a  better  world,  and  wonder  why  he  did  not.  They  think 
things  might  have  been  adjusted  more  wisely.    They  think 

*  Exod.  xiv.  17.  f  Rom.  ix.  17.  %  Num.  xiv.  21 


judson's  sermon  in  1790.  01 

it  is  unjust,  that  poor  mortals  should  suffer  a  burden  of 
afflictions  in  life,  then  die  and  go  to  hell.  They  think,  it 
is  hard,  that  some  should  be  left  to  perish,  while  others  are 
saved.  They  cannot  see,  why  God  should  blame  them  for 
not  loving  him  with  all  the  heart,  when  they  think  they 
are  unable  to  do  it.  I  knew  thee  that  thou  art  an  hard 
man,  reaping  where  thou  hast  not  sown,  and  gatheriny 
where  thou  Tiast  not  straived*  —  is  language  expressive  of 
the  feelings  of  the  sinful  heart  towards  God.  And  good 
people  have  sometimes  a  degree  of  the  same  wicked  sen- 
sations. In  the  day  of  judgment  God  will  show  that  he 
acted  wisely,  in  governing  the  world  as  he  did,  which  will 
give  full  satisfaction  to  holy  beings,  and  excite  the  highest 
exercises  of  joy,  and  stop  the  mouths  of  sinners.  By  be- 
ing present  they  will  be  under  advantage  of  seeing  a  glo- 
rious display  of  divine  grace  and  justice.  The  holy  sove- 
reign of  the  world  saves  believers  and  punishes  the  wicked. 
Against  this  conduct  many  bitter  complaints  are  made. 
The  human  heart  rises  against  it.  God  will  look  into  this 
matter,  in  the  solemn  day  of  trial,  and  show  on  which  side 
the  blame  lies.  He  will  bring  to  light  the  hidden  things 
of  darkness,  and  make  manifest  the  counsels  of  the  heart. f 
Every  idle  word  that  men  shall  speak,  they  shall  give  ac- 
count thereof  in  the  day  of  judgment.  %  He  will  expose 
the  sins  of  every  one  to  public  view.  How  exceedingly 
vile  will  men  appear.  They  will  appear  so  hateful  and  ill- 
deserving,  that  the  riches  of  God's  grace  in  saving  Christ's 
people,  will  be  magnified  beyond  conception;  and  the  pun- 
ishment of  impenitent  sinners  will  appear  so  perfectly 
right,  that  they  will  be  convicted  of  the  impropriety  and 
sin  of  all  their  hard  speeches  against  God. 

*  Mat.  xxv.  24.  t  1  Cor.  iv.  5.  }  Mat.  xii.  36. 


92  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

By  being  together  in  the  presence  of  their  Judge,  they 
will  have  an  opportunity  of  seeing  in  clear  light,  why  God 
separates  sinners  and  saints.  They  live  together  in  this 
world.  Let  both  (/row  tor/ether  until  the  harvest*  They 
have  connections  with  one  another  here.  Some  of  which 
are  interesting,  and  some  very  dear.  Such  are  those  be- 
tween the  partners  of  each  other's  joys  and  sorrows  in  the 
conjugal  state — between  parents  and  children — between 
ministers  and  people,  and  between  members  in  church  fel- 
lowship. At  death  connections  are  dissolved  between  the 
righteous  and  the  wicked.  Until  the  clay  of  judgment 
they  will  live  apart.  And  so  they  will  forever  after  that 
great  clay.  Though  apart,  and  in  infinitely  different  states, 
they  will  be  in  sight  of  each  other.  Abraham  could  cast 
his  eyes  towards  hell,  and  see  the  rich  man  in  torment. 
That  same  rich  man  could  lift  up  a  painful  eye,  and  see 
Abraham  and  Lazarus.  The  righteous  shall  go  forth,  and 
look  upon  the  carcases  of  the  men,  that  have  transgressed 
against  me.  For  their  worm  shall  not  die,  neither  shall 
their  fire  be  quenched.^  To  be  thus  separated  requires  a 
weighty  reason.  And  to  reconcile  the  righteous  to  it,  and 
convict  sinners  of  the  propriety  of  it,  and  stop  their  cavil- 
ings  against  God,  the  reason  must  be  seen.  In  the  great 
clay  he  will  make  the  reason  known.  He  tells  us  now, 
why  he  separates  them.  But  then  he  will  do  it  more 
clearly,  by  laying  open  the  character  of  every  one.  When 
he  does,  the  contrast  of  characters  will  appear  so  great, 
that  all  will  see   abundant  reason  for  the  wide  separation. 

That  God  may  have  an  opportunity  of  exhibiting  him- 
self; and  all  mankind  have  opportunity  of  learning  more 
fully,  that  he  acts  wisely  in  his  government  of  the  world ; 

*  Mat.  xiii.  30.  t  Isai.  lxvi.  24. 


i 


judson's  sermon  in  1790.  93 

and  that  they  may  behold  his  grace  and  justice  shine  in 
his  treatment  of  mankind,  and  see  the  reason  of  his  sepa- 
rating his  friends  and  enemies,  are  reasons,  why  all  should 
be  assembled  at  the  august  court  of  heaven ;  and  reasons 
also,  why  such  an  event  may  be  expected. 

3.  Their  connections  seem  to  require,  that  they  should 
be  together  at  the  trial. 

There  are  a  multitude  of  things,  which  take  place  be- 
tween the  children  of  men  in  this  life  to  be  settled  then ; 
and  many  kindnesses  expressed  among  saints  toward  one 
another  to  be  rewarded,  the  nature  of  which,  is  such,  as 
will  require  their  attendance  together. 

There  are  many  things  between  parties,  which  are  nev- 
er settled  in  this  life,  that  will  be  settled  in  the  day  of 
judgment.  We  often  hear  it  said  concerning  people  at 
variance,  who  cannot,  or  will  not  settle  their  quarrels, 
"  their  affairs  must  be  left  to  be  settled  in  the  day  of  judg- 
ment." If  matters  between  parties  are  to  be  settled  at 
that  time,  both  parties  must  be  present.  And  those  par- 
ties may  have  difficulties  with  other  parties  to  be  settled. 
And  those  other  parties  with  others.  In  this  sense  the 
connection  may  be  general ;  and  of  consequence  all  must 
be  present.  But  there  are  many  affairs  among  mankind 
of  extensive  connection,  which  are  to  be  settled  then;  such 
as  those  that  are  national.  A  tyrant  may  abuse  millions 
of  his  subjects,  and  do  infinite  mischief  to  other  nations. 
The  cruel  sword  of  Alexander  brought  millions  to  an  un- 
timely end,  and  entailed  wretchedness  to  posterity.  A 
king  may  be  the  wicked  cause  of  rivers  of  blood  among 
his  subjects,  and  by  influential  connection  be  the  unjust 
cause  of  the  same  horrid  calamity  among  many  nations. 
And  those  nations  may  be  the  instruments  of  spreading 


94  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTOX. 

the  calamity  to  others.  In  this  way,  it  may  extend  over 
all  the  nations  of  the  earth.  Further  the  present  nations 
may  be  instrumental  of  carrying  the  calamities  of  war 
down  to  posterity.  And  posterity  still  further  down.  We 
can  conceive,  and  doubtless  it  is  true,  that  this  kind  of 
connection  extends  itself  through  the  earth,  and  through 
all  ages.  If  so  all  mankind  must  be  together,  in  the  day 
of  judgment,  when  God  will  settle  all  national  affairs,  ex- 
pose the  tyrant,  and  vindicate  the  innocent. 

Good  people  have  their  connections.  They  assist  one 
another  in  the  journey  of  life  towards  heaven.  The  be- 
nevolent man  loves  his  christian  brethren.  He  watches 
their  conduct,  prays  for  their  spiritual  good,  and  shows 
them  kindness,  by  imparting  to  them  such  things  as  they 
need.  For  every  thing  that  he  does,  for  his  brethren  in 
the  exercise  of  love,  he  will  be  rewarded.  A  cup  of  cold 
water,  given  to  a  disciple  of  Christ,  will  not  be  forgotten. 
A  reward  is  in  store  for  the  christian  who  gives  it.  And 
no  inconsiderable  part  of  the  reward,  will  be  the  joy,  that 
their  presence  will  give  him  in  the  day  of  Judgment. 
The  Apostle  Paul  was  instrumental  of  converting  many, 
and  of  building  them  up  in  the  faith,  and  order  of  the  gos- 
pel. He  is  to  be  rewarded  in  the  day  of  judgment  for  all 
his  labor  for  their  spiritual  good.  And  his  reward  will  be 
the  joy,  that  it  will  give  him  to  see  them  standing  before 
the  tribunal,  as  monuments  of  the  victorious  grace  of  God. 
For  what  is  our  hope,  or  joy,  or  crown  of  rejoicing?  Are 
not  even  ye  in  the  presence  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  at 
Ids  coming*  If  the  reward  of  Paul  is  to  consist  in  the 
joy  that  he  will  have  in  seeing  his  converts  at  the  day  of 
judgment,  they  must  be  present,  or  he  will  not  have  his 
reward. 

*  1  Thess.  ii.  19. 


judson's  sermon  in  1790.  95 

If  the  converts  of  Paul  must  be  present,  Timothy  must 
be  there ;  for  he  was  one  of  the  converts  of  St.  Paul. 
And  the  converts  of  Timothy  must  be  there  also,  that 
Timothy  may  have  his  reward  for  his  labors  for  their  spir- 
itual good.  The  converts  of  Timothy,  some  of  whom,  were 
probably  instrumental  of  converting  others,  and  they  of 
others,  all  for  the  reason  just  given,  must  be  there  on  the 
solemn  day  of  rewards  and  punishments.  The  connection 
in  this  sense  may,  and  probably  does  exist  through  the 
great  body  of  the  people  of  God,  in  all  ages,  which  shows 
that  all  must  be  together,  when  God  judges  the  world. 

III.  The  day  of  judgment  will  be  a  great  clay. 

A  day  may  be  called  great  on  account  of  the  great 
things,  which  are  done  upon  it.  The  fourth  of  July  is 
esteemed  a  great  day;  because  on  that  day  of  the  month, 
we  declared  ourselves  free  independent  states.  That  was 
a  great  day,  when  God  promised  to  give  a  Saviour  to  fal- 
len man.  That  was  a  great  day,  when  the  rain  began  to 
fall,  which  destroyed  the  world.  That  also,  on  which  fire 
fell  from  heaven,  and  consumed  the  people  of  Sodom. 
That  was  a  great  day,  in  which  God  gave  the  law  from 
Sinai.  That  likewise  on  which  the  Saviour  was  born,  and 
that  on  which  he  hung  upon  the  cross.  All  these  have 
been  great  days.  But  were  not  so  great  as  that,  in  which 
God  will  judge  mankind,  except  that,  on  which  the  Lord 
of  life,  cried  out  upon  the  cross,  "  It  is  finished '."  Grand 
scenes,  and  infinitely  interesting  events  will  then  take 
place.  Such  as  will  attract  the  attention  of  heaven,  earth 
and  hell.  Some  of  which,  I  shall  now  mention  with  a 
view  to  show,  that  it  will  be  a  great  day. 

1.  It  will  be  a  great  day;  because  Christ  will  appeal- 
again  to  our  world. 


96 


THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 


Almost  eighteen  hundred  years  ago  he  appeared  among 
mankind,  lived  to  the  age  of  thirty  and  three  years,  and 
then  suffered  death  on  the  cross,  was  buried,  arose  and  as- 
cended into  heaven  to  tarry  there  until  the  end  of  the 
world.  Then  he  will  come  again  to  our  earth.  That  same 
Jesus,  who  lived  a  term  of  time  in  the  land  of  Israel,  and 
who  was  taken  up  into  heaven,  will  open  the  heavens,  de- 
scend, and  come  again  to  this  world.  He  tarries  to  get 
things  ready  for  his  coming,  as  he  did  for  his  coming  in 
the  flesh.  He  then  tarried  to  get  things  ready  for  his 
appearance.  He  now  tarries  to  get  things  ready  to  come 
to  judge  the  world.  When  all  things  were  ready,  he  came 
down,  and  died  to  make  atonement.  "When  all  things  are 
ready,  he  will  come  down  a  second  time,  and  then  judge 
the  world.  He  now  upholds  the  world ;  he  raises  up  na- 
tions and  empires,  and  casts  them  down;  he  sends  forth 
the  heralds  of  his  gospel  to  call  in  the  elect  from  the  four 
winds  of  heaven ;  he  diffuses  light  round  this  blind  world, 
and  by  his  almighty  power  opens  the  eyes  of  his  chosen  to 
see  it ;  he  calls  away  generations  and  lays  them  in  the 
dust,  and  brings  forward  others  in  their  room ;  he  shakes 
the  heavens  and  the  earth;  that  is,  civil  and  ecclesiastical 
powers,  to  prepare  things  for  his  second  appearance.  And 
when  all  things  are  ready,  he  will  appear. 

2.  It  will  be  a  great  day ;  because  the  appearance  of 
Christ  will  be  most  public. 

"When  he  appeared  in  the  flesh  but  a  very  few  people, 
compared  with  the  great  body  of  mankind,  saw  him.  He 
confined  himself  to  the  land  of  Palestine.  And  although 
he  went  into  many  places  in  that  land,  he  did  not  go  over 
the  whole  country.  Multitudes  of  the  people  never  saw 
him.     None  of  the  people  of  other  nations  ever  saw  him 


judson's  sermon  in  1790.  97 

except  some,  who  either  resided  in  the  land  of  Israel,  or 
occasionally  came  there,  during  his  residence  in  the  flesh. 
But  -when  he  shall  appear  in  the  day  of  judgment,  he  will 
be  seen  by  all  mankind.  Behold  he  cometh  with  clouds, 
and  every  eye  shall  see  him*  All  that  will  be  alive  on 
the  earth  at  his  appearance,  will  see  him.  The  people  of 
the  present  day,  and  all  that  have  lived  before,  and  that 
•will  live  in  future  days,  will  behold  him. 

3.  It  will  be  a  great  day ;  because  he  will  appear  in 
his  glory.  When  Christ  spoke  of  liis  coming  in  the  day 
of  judgment,  he  said,  when  the  son  of  man  shall  come  in 
Ms  glory ;f  plainly  signifying  that  when  he  should  appear 
to  judge  the  world,  he  should  appear  in  his  glory. 

By  his  glory,  which  he  spake  of,  is  meant,  that  bright 
appearance,  which  was  often  seen  to  attend  him,  and  which 
was  a  token  of  his  majesty  and  of  his  presence.  When 
he  spake  to  Moses  from  the  bush  in  Horeb,  he  appeared 
in  a  light,  that  appeared  like  fire.  When  he  conducted 
Israel  from  Egypt  to  Canaan,  a  bright  cloud  hung  over 
them  by  day  and  by  night.  When  the  people  set  up  the 
tabernacle  in  the  wilderness,  that  brightness  hovered  over 
it,  and  part  of  it  entered  into  the  tabernacle,  filling  it  with 
the  appearance  of  light  and  fire,  and  collected  into  a  small 
body  in  the  most  holy  place,  over  the  mercy  seat  and  ark, 
under  the  wings  of  the  cherubim.  This  bright  appearance 
was  called  the  glory  of  the  Lord.  It  tarried  in  the  most 
holy  place,  until  the  days  of  Eli,  the  High  Priest  and  then, 
because  of  the  wickedness  of  Israel,  it  forsook  the  taber- 
nacle and  appeared  no  more  till  the  days  of  King  Solo- 
mon. When  Solomon  had  completed  the  building  of  the 
temple,  it  returned  and  entered  in  at  the  door,  and  filled 

*  Rev.  i.  7.  t  Matt.  xxv.  31. 

9 


98  THE   MINISTRY   OP  TACNTON. 

the  whole  house  ;  and  then  collected  in  a  small  body,  in 
the  most  Holy  Place,  in  the  manner  it  had  done  in  the 
tabernacle.  In  the  temple  it  tarried,  till  about  the  time 
of  the  great  captivity  of  the  people  of  the  kingdom  of 
Judah,  among  the  Babylonians,  and  other  nations  subject 
to  the  Babylonish  King ;  and  was  seen  no  more,  till  the 
God  of  Israel  appeared  in  the  flesh  to  redeem  a  lost  world. 
Thex  it  appeared  several  times.  Probably  this  glory 
was  the  star,  which  appeared  to  the  wise  men  of  the  east, 
and  conducted  them  to  Judea  to  the  place,  where  the  Sa- 
viour was.  This  bright  appearance,  called  a  bright  cloud, 
overshadowed  Christ  and  the  three  disciples,  who  were 
with  him  in  the  mount.  And  when  he  ascended  into  heav- 
en, he  went  up  in  a  bright  cloud.  And  when  he  appears 
in  the  day  of  judgment,  he  will  be  surrounded  with  the 
same  appearance.  Thus  testified  the  angels,  who  appear- 
ed and  spake  to  those,  who  stood  gazing  on  Christ,  as  ho 
was  °x)ing  frorQ  earth  to  heaven.  And  while  they  looked 
steadfastly  toward  heaven,  as  he  went  up,  behold,  tivo  men 
stood  by  tlic m  in  white  apparel;  which  also  said,  ye  men 
of  Galilee,  why  stand  ye  gazing  nj)  into  heaven?  This 
same  Jesus  which  is  taken  up  from  you  into  heaven,  shall 
so  come,  in  like  manner,  as  ye  have  seen  him  go  into  heav- 
en* "  He  is  gone  up  from  you  to  take  his  residence  in 
the  mansions  of  glory ;  but  he  will  return  again  and  visit 
your  world.  He  went  up  in  a  bright  cloud;  and  when  he 
comes  again  he  will  come  in  a  bright  cloud."  To  this 
declaration  of  the  angels,  agree  the  words  of  John.  Be- 
hold he  cometh  with  clouds.j  John  doubtless  alludes  to 
the  manner  of  his  appearance  in  instances  before,  signify- 
ing that  he  would  come  in  the  same  brightness,  called  the 


*  Actsi.  10,  11.  t  Rev.  i. 


judson's  sermon  in  1790.  99 

glory  of  the  Lord.  That  glory,  in  which  he  will  appear, 
will  be  brighter  than  the  meridian  sun.  It  will  illuminate 
the  world.  May  it  be  not  said  the  universe.  What  a 
magnificent  appearance  will  the  Lord  Jesus  make. 

4.  The  angels  will  come  with  him.  Heaven  will  pour 
forth  its  legions  of  angels,  who  will  attend  on  Christ, 
when  he  shall  come  to  our  world  again. 

Angels  were  made  to  attend  on  Christ.  Two  angels 
attended  him,  when  he  came  to  Abraham  at  Manure.  Ja- 
cob in  a  vision  saw  angels  descending  from  heaven  and  as- 
cending, while  the  angel  of  the  covenant,  who  was  Christ, 
was  renewing  the  covenant  with  him,  which  the  Lord  had 
made  before  with  Abraham.  When  Christ  gave  the  Law 
to  Moses  on  mount  Sinai,  he  did  it  by  the  disposition  of 
angels.  An  angel  announced  to  the  shepherds  his  birth. 
When  he  was  tempted  by  Satan,  angels  descended  and 
administered  unto  him.  When  he  agonized  in  the  garden, 
in  the  deepest  sorrow,  an  angel  was  dispatched  from  heav- 
en to  strengthen  him.  An  angel  came  down  and  rolled 
away  the  stone,  that  lay  on  the  mouth  of  his  sepulchre, 
that  when  he  awoke  into  life  he  might  have  opportunity  to 
come  from  his  grave.  Mary  saw  two  angels  in  his  grave, 
after  he  had  risen,  one  sitting  at  the  head,  and  the  other 
at  the  place,  where  his  head  and  feet  had  lain.  When  he 
ascended,  two  angels  appeared  at  the  same  time  to  those 
who  saw  him  go  up  into  heaven.  When  he  shall  clothe 
himself  in  majesty,  open  the  heavens,  and  come  down 
again,  all  the  holy  angels  will  come  with  him.  Legions  of 
bright  seraphs  will  attend  him  down  the  skies,  and  shout 
his  praises  in  the  most  sublime  songs.  His  appearance 
will  be  very  different  from  that,  which  he  made  when  he 
appeared  to  take  away  sin.     A  few  men  from  the  east 


100  THE   MINISTRY    OF   TAUNTON. 

presented  their  gifts,  and  paid  homage  to  him :  when  lie 
shall  appear  again  all  men  will  bow  to  him,  some  willingly, 
others  against  their  wills.  Then  a  few  poor  people  fre- 
quently attended  him,  and  his  very  disciples  were  not  men, 
who  made  a  figure  in  life :  when  he  shall  come  again,  all 
the  hosts  of  angels  will  be  his  attendants.  Then  a  few 
poor  mortals  lisped  his  praise :  when  he  comes  the  second 
time,  millions  of  angels  will  sound  his  praises  aloud. 

5.  The  clay  of  judgment  will  be  a  great  day;  because 
Christ  will  come  in  the  character  of  a  judge.  Became  he  ; 
that  is,  God,  hath  appointed  a  day  in  the  which  he  will 
judge  the  world  in  righteousness  by  that  man  whom  he 
hath  ordained ;  whereof  lie  hath  given  assurance  unto  all 
men,  in  that  lie  hath  raised  him  from  the  dead*  And  he 
commanded  as  to  preacli  unto  the  people,  and  to  testify- 
that  it  is  he :  that  is  Christ,  ivhicli  teas  ordained  of  God 
to  be  the  judge  of  quick  and  dead.-f  Agreeable  to  these 
texts  are  his  own  words.  The  Father  judgeth  no  man  ; 
but  hath  committed  all  judgment  unto  the  Son.$  When 
the  Son  of  Man  shall  come  in  his  glory,  and  all  the  holy 
angels  with  him  ;  then  shall  lie  sit  upon  the  throne  of  his 
glory.  §  To  represent  himself  as  sitting  on  a  throne  in  the 
day  of  judgment,  is  representing  himself  as  one  that  would 
act  as  king  and  judge.  For  a  throne  is  a  token  of  royalty 
and  judgment. 

When  lie  appeared  in  the  flesh,  he  acted  as  a  Saviour. 
He  opened  the  way  of  life  to  mankind.  He  stated  the 
terms  of  salvation,  and  invited  sinners  to  return  to  the 
Lord  in  his  name.  He  preached.  He  wept  over  sinners. 
He  died  on  the  cross  to  atone  for  their  sins.  After  his 
resurrection,  he  sent  his  Heralds  abroad  among  the  nations 

*  Acts  xvii.  31.  t  Acts  x.  42.  t  John  v.  22. 

*  Mat.  x.w.  31. 


judson's  sermon  in  1790.  101 

to  inform  people,  that  they  were  sinful,  helpless  and  ruin- 
ed, and  going  to  endless  destruction ;  and  inform  them, 
who  he  was,  and  invite  them  to  believe  in  him,  and  live 
for  ever.  He  holds  out  the  golden  sceptre,  and  invites  us 
to  arise,  touch  it  and  live.  He  will  continue  to  offer  sal- 
vation to  mankind  to  the  end  of  the  world.  Then  he  will 
cease  to  offer  mercy  to  sinners ;  for  then  he  will  appear  as 
a  judge  to  call  mankind  to  his  tribunal,  to  examine,  and 
pass  sentence,  according  to  each  one's  character.  Now 
he  offers  pardon  and  life  ;  he  will  then  treat  them  as  they 
treat  his  offer.  Now  he  proposes  eternal  life,  speaks  with 
sinners  by  his  word,  and  most  kindly  asks  them  to  accept 
his  glorious  offer  of  mercy ;  then  he  will  ask  how  they 
treated  his  offer.  And  all  those,  who,  now  in  the  day  of 
grace,  accept  the  proposal,  he  will  sentence  to  eternal  life, 
and  those,  who  do  not,  he  will  cast  into  eternal  misery. 
Thus  his  appearance  will  be  for  a  very  different  purpose 
from  what  it  was,  when  he  came  as  Saviour. 

6.  It  will  be  a  great  clay,  because  Christ  will  judge  all 
moral  beings,  of  which  we  have  any  account. 

He  will  judge  every  one  of  mankind.  Adam  with  his 
numerous  offspring  will  be  present.  Not  a  man  will  es- 
cape trial.  The  most  worthless  and  respectable,  the  sin- 
ner and  the  righteous,  must  appear  before  Christ. 

He  will  judge  the  fallen  angels.  When  God  created 
the  angels,  it  is  supposed  by  some  Divines,  that  it  was  re- 
vealed in  heaven,  that  one  would  be  born  of  man,  whom 
the  angels  would  be  commanded  to  worship  ;  that  many  of 
the  angels  disdained  the  idea;  that  this  pride  in  their 
hearts  was  their  sin,  and  that  which  made  them  devils. 
Be  this  as  it  may.  It  is  evident,  that  vast  numbers  of  the 
angels  turned  rebels  to  God,  and  became  devils.  All 
9* 


102  THE  MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

these  evil  beings  will  be  judged  in  the  great  day.  Not  an 
individual  will  escape  the  penetrating  eye  of  the  judge. 
None  can  hide  themselves  in  the  dark  regions.  All  must 
come  forth  and  give  their  attendance  at  the  tribunal  of 
Christ.  And  the  angels  wMeh  7cej?t  not  their  first  estate, 
but  left  their  own  habitation,  he  hath  reserved  in  everlast- 
ing chains  under  darkness  unto  the  judgment  of  the  great 
day*  If  God  spared  not  the  angels  which  sinned,  but 
cast  them  down  to  hell,  and  delivered  them  into  chains  of 
darkness  to  be  reserved  unto  judgment .jf 

He  will  judge  the  holy  angels.  They  will  all  be  pres- 
ent. He  will  lay  open  their  amiable  character  to  the  as- 
sembled universe  of  intellectual  beings ;  and  will  most  pub- 
licly approve  of  them  as  his  friends,  and  faithful  servants. 

Thus  three  worlds,  heaven,  earth  and  hell  will  be  judg- 
ed. This  will  be  an  event  infinitely  great.  If  one  poor 
mortal  is  taken  from  a  prison,  and  carried  before  a  civil 
judicature,  and  tried  for  the  life  of  his  body,  it  engages 
the  attention  of  many  people,  and  renders  the  day  of  his 
trial  memorable  and  great  in  his  family  and  among  his 
connections.  But  how  much  greater  will  that  day  be, 
when  all  mankind,  and  all  good  and  bal  spirits,  shall  ap- 
pear before  Christ,  and  be  tried,  and  be  sentenced  some  to 
eternal  happiness,  and  others  to  eternal  misery. 

7.  It  will  be  a  great  day;  because  all  the  dead  will  be 
raised. 

That  the  body  must  die,  and  be  put  into  the  ground,  to 
be  devoured  by  worms,  is  a  most  serious  consideration. 
To  day  you  live ;  to-morrow  you  die,  next  day  you  are 
carried  away,  and  laid  in  the  cold  earth.  The  heart  of 
the  vain,  and  the  heart  of  the  infidel,  may  laugh  at  the 

*  Jude,  verse  6.  t  2  Peter  ii.  4. 


judsox's  sermon  in  1790.  103 

idea ;  but  both  of  them  will  feel  distressed,  beyond  what 
human  tongue  can  describe,  when  death  comes  to  call 
them  away. 

But  the  time  approaches  when  the  dead  will  be  raised. 
Elijah,  a  great  Prophet  in  Israel,  raised  to  life  the  son  of 
the  widow  of  Zarephath.  Elisha,  his  successor,  raised  the 
son  of  the  Shunammite.  When  Elisha  was  dead,  and  lay 
in  his  sepulchre,  a  dead  corpse,  which  was  let  down  into 
the  same  grave,  revived,  as  soon  as  it  touched  the  bones 
of  Elisha.  Those  Prophets  were  a  type  of  Christ.  Their 
raising  the  dead,  a  type  that  Christ  would  raise  the  dead. 
At  least,  it  shows  that  such  an  event  is  possible. 

"We  have  passages  of  scripture,  which  expressly  declare, 
that  the  dead  shall  be  raised.  Many  of  them  that  sleep 
in  the  dust  of  the  earth  shall  awake,  some  to  everlasting 
life,  and  some  to  shame,  and  everlasting  contempt*  These 
words  were  spoken  by  the  prophet  Daniel,  and  pretty  fully 
declare,  that  men  will  awake  from  their  slumber  in  the 
grave.  "  The  moment,  that  I  was  writing  this  sentence, 
struck  the  clock  nine,  hi  a  few  moments  more  said  I,  I 
shall  retire  to  rest  on  my  pillow,  but  may  awake  and  arise 
in  the  morning.  After  a  few  days,  at  most,  I  shall  retire 
to  the  cold  earth,  where  my  dust  will  remain  till  the  day 
of  judgment.  Then  I  shall  awake  and  come  forth ;  for 
Christ  says;"  Verily  verily  I  say  unto  you,  the  hour  is 
coming,  and  now  is,  when  the  dead  shall  hear  the  voice  of 
the  Son  of  God,  and  they  that  hear  shall  live.j- 

Christ  delivered  these  words  in  the  days  of  his  incar- 
nation. "  The  hour  is  coming,  when  those,  who  are  dead 
and  in  the  grave  shall  hear  my  voice  and  shall  live.  And 
now  is,  the  hour  now  is;  that  is,  in  this  time,  while  I  am 

*  Dan.  xii.  2.  t  John  y.  25. 


104  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

among  you  the  dead  hear  my  voice  and  rise."  He  raised 
three  in  the  time  he  was  executing  his  commission  as  Sa- 
viour. Some  were  raised  at  his  resurrection.  At  the 
end  of  the  world  he  will  raise  every  one.  The  venerable 
gray  hair  and  blooming  youth,  the  parent  and  child,  will 
come  forth  out  of  the  ground.  That  power,  which  quick- 
ened Lazarus,  will  be  able  to  collect  the  dust  of  men,  and 
call  back  their  souls  to  take  possession  of  their  bodies. 
The  multitudes  of  unhappy  mortals,  who  have  been  buried 
in  the  seas,  will  be  called  into  life.  Vast  plains,  where 
dead  bodies,  slain  in  battle,  have  been  left  to  putrify  above 
ground,  without  the  honor  of  a  decent  interment,  will  be 
covered  with  living  men,  whose  dust  now  lies  mingled  with 
the  common  dust  of  the  earth.  Every  plat  of  ground, 
devoted  to  receive  the  dead,  will  open  its  graves  and  send 
forth  all  that  have  been  buried  in  them. 

8.  The  vast  number  of  rational  beings,  that  will  be  to- 
gether, will  make  the  day  great. 

Now  angels  live  in  heaven ;  devils  in  hell ;  mankind 
live  in  different  ages  of  the  world,  and  scattered  all  over 
the  earth.  Even  people  of  the  same  family  are  separated ; 
some  in  the  grave ;  and  some  among  the  living.  Then 
angels,  men  and  devils  will  be  collected  before  the  judg- 
ment seat  of  Christ.  What  an  amazing  number  will  be 
together.  Xerxes  collected  an  army  of  five  millions.  But 
what  was  that  number,  compared  with  the  present  inhabi- 
tants of  the  earth  ?  Still  less,  compared  with  all  the  gen- 
erations before  the  flood ;  and  from  the  flood  to  Christ ; 
and  from  the  days  of  Christ  to  this  time  ;  and  from  this 
time  down  to  the  end  of  the  world.  And  less  yet,  if  we 
add,  as  we  must,  the  whole  host  of  angels,  and  all  the  fal- 
len spirits.     Truly  the    collection   of  the  inhabitants  of 


1790.  105 

three  worlds,  of  heaven,  earth  and  hell,  at  the  judgment 
seat  of  Christ,  -will  make  the  day  great. 

9.  It  will  be  a  great  daj ;  because  every  one  will  be 
attentive. 

Angels  are  now  attentive  to  things  of  eternity.  Their 
attention  is  employed  in  pleasing  thoughts  on  God,  and 
the  things  of  religion.  Devils  attend  to  the  things  of 
eternity.  They  live  in  eternity;  and  cannot  help  attend- 
ing to  everlasting  things.  The  souls  of  all  good  people, 
that  are  dead,  attend  to  nothing  else,  but  the  things  of 
religion.  Perhaps,  some  of  our  departed  christian  friends 
are  this  day  delightfully  conversing  together  on  the  temp- 
tations, trials  and  dangers,  through  which  they  passed  on 
their  journey  to  heaven.  Departed  souls  of  wicked  people 
attend  to  eternal  things.  They  have  no  pleasing  amuse- 
ments ;  no  hours  of  merriment ;  no  ambitious  prospects ; 
no  hopes  of  deliverance.  To  them  all  is  eternity.  And 
they  have  nothing,  to  which  they  attend,  but  eternal  things. 
A  few,  in  this  world,  attend.  They  wake  up  out  of  the 
sleep  of  security,  attend,  inquire,  and  feel  concerned. 
But  the  great  body  of  people  will  not  attend.  They  know 
that  they  must  die,  but  it  gives  them  no  trouble.  To  die, 
and  appear  before  God,  and  be  given  up  to  eternal  happi- 
ness, or  misery,  are  matters  of  so  little  importance  in  their 
view,  that  they  do  not  give  them  a  serious  thought,  or  one 
painful  reflection.  They  are  so  stupid,  that  the  most 
alarming  considerations  will  not  excite  their  fear,  or  put 
them  upon  serious  inquiry,  "  what  they  shall  do?" 

But  in  the  day  of  judgment,  all  men  will  be  roused 
into  attention.  There  will  not  be  a  careless  spectator 
among  the  whole.  The  call  to  come  forward  to  the  tribu- 
nal will  excite  the  attention  of  every  one.     Who,  when  he 


106  THE  MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

sees  the  judge  on  his  throne,  surrounded  with  his  refulgent 
glory,  can  feel  indifferent  and  unconcerned  ?  Who,  when 
he  sees  worlds  in  flames,  and  all  moral  beings  waiting  tho 
final  decision  of  the  judge,  can  he  inattentive  ?  "When  a 
town  or  society  of  people  are  awakened,  and  are  under 
conviction  of  sin,  it  excites  their  attention  to  eternal 
things.  They  hear  with  solicitude ;  they  converse,  and 
are  inquisitive.  Such  a  day  becomes  memorable,  and  is 
esteemed  a  great  day.  But  what  is  this  compared  to  the 
day  in  which  all  intellectual  existences  will  be  awake  to 
matters  of  the  first  magnitude.  To  see  a  few  people 
awakened  is  really  a  great  affair ;  but  to  see  worlds  awak- 
ened, is  infinitely  greater. 

10.  It  will  be  a  great  day  on  account  of  the  joys  and 
sorrows  that  will  fill  all  hearts,  at  that  time.  Those  that 
will  weep,  will  weep  most  bitterly.  And  those  that  will 
rejoice,  will  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 

The  day  will  present  the  most  brilliant  scenes  to  all 
good  beings.  They  will  see  the  divine  perfections  shine 
most  conspicuously,  which  will  excite,  in  their  joyful 
breasts,  the  highest  happiness.  Divine  justice  and  sover- 
eignty, mercy  and  wisdom,  which  they  will  clearly  see, 
will  charm  their  souls,  and  fill  them  with  the  purest  pleas- 
ure. They  will  see  the  wisdom  of  many  providences, 
which  now  appear  dark  and  mysterious.  They  will  un- 
derstand the  end,  God  has  in  view,  in  governing  the  world 
as  he  does.  This  will  give  them  admiration  and  delight. 
Even  God,  himself,  will  take  infinite  delight  in  showing 
his  true  character  in  a  clear  light ;  and  he  will  take  infinite 
pleasure  in  seeing  the  displays  of  himself;  and  he  will  take 
pleasure  in  that  pleasure  which  good  beings  will  take  in 
beholding  him.  Thus  there  will  be  happiness  in  the  breasts 
of  all  good  beings. 


judson's  sermon  in  1790.  107 

Wicked  beings  will  be  filled  with  the  deepest  distress. 
A  view  of  God  gives  pain  to  a  sinner.  In  the  day  of 
judgment,  sinners  will  have  clear  views  of  God,  which  will 
put  them  to  the  most  distressing  pain.  The  day  will  be  a 
day  of  lamentation  and  woe.  When  sinners  will  be  called 
forward  for  trial,  they  -will  not  expect  to  be  acquitted. 
As  soon  as  their  souls  depart  from  this  world,  they  know 
that  they  must  be  eternally  miserable.  And  this  idea  will 
abide  by  them  forever.  When  they  go  forward  to  the 
judgment  seat  for  trial,  they  will  know  that  the  judge  will 
not  acquit  them ;  but  expose  all  their  sins  to  the  assembled 
universe  of  intellectual  beings;  that  their  badness  may 
appear  to  all;  that  the  sentence,  which  dooms  to  everlast- 
ing misery,  may  appear  just.  What  horror  will  this  give 
them !  What  shame  and  remorse  will  they  feel !  when  re- 
flecting that  they  are  going  before  a  judge,  who  will  show 
what  hateful,  ill-deserving  creatures  they  are,  and  that  he 
will  be  just  in  punishing  them  forever. 

11.  It  will  be  a  great  day;  because  of  the  conviction 
that  will  take  place  in  the  minds  of  sinners. 

One  great  end  of  the  day  of  judgment  is  to  convict  the 
wicked  of  their  sins.  Behold,  the  Lord  cometh  with  ten 
thousand  of  his  saints,  to  execute  judgment  upon  all,  and 
to  convince  all  that  are  ungodly  among  them,  of  all  their 
ungodly  deeds,  which  they  have  ungodly  committed,  and 
of  all  their  hard  speeches,  which  ungodly  sinners  have 
spoken  against  him* 

Sinners  do  many  things  now,  which  they  think  are 
right,  who  will  be  convinced,  in  the  day  of  judgment,  that 
they  are  wrong.  Now  sinners  think  it  no  sin  to  give 
themselves  up  to  pleasure :  then  they  will  be  convinced, 

*  Jade,  verses  14,  15. 


108  TIIE   MINISTRY   OP  TAUXTOX. 

that  instead  of  pursuing  their  pleasures,  they  ought  to 
have  spent  the  time  in  prayer,  reading  and  meditation. 
Now  they  think  it  is  no  sin  to  take  advantage  of  others, 
and  get  good  bargains  for  themselves,  and  cheat  if  they 
have  an  opportunity ;  and  some  carry  it  so  far  as  to  say, 
it  is  no  hurt  to  lie,  if  they  can  get  something  by  it: 
then  they  will  be  convinced  that  such  conduct  is  sinful, 
and  that  they  ought  to  have  regarded  the  good  of  others, 
as  they  did  their  own  good.  Now  they  think  it  well  enough 
to  recreate  themselves  upon  the  sabbath,  and  neglect  the 
worship  and  ordinances  of  God:  then  they  will  be  con- 
vinced of  the  sin  of  this  conduct.  Of  the  sin  of  these, 
and  of  all  their  other  ungodly  deeds,  they  will  be  convinc- 
ed. 

Axd  they  will  be  convicted  of  the  sin  of  all  their  hard 
speeches  against  God.  Sinners  say  a  great  deal  against 
God.  Volumes  are  written  to  find  fault  with  his  sacred 
truths.  Some  pulpits  sound  loud  with  such  things  as,  at 
least,  imply  complaints  against  the  Most  High.  Sinners 
complain  of  the  peculiar,  distinguishing  doctrines  of  the 
gospel.  In  the  day  of  judgment  they  will  be  convinced 
that  it  is  wicked  to  talk  about  God  as  they  do.  Now  they 
say  "  God  is  an  hard  master:"  then  they  will  be  convinc- 
ed, that  it  is  a  sin  to  talk  in  this  manner.  Now  they  say, 
"that  if  he  acts  as  a  sovereign  he  is  unjust:"  then  they 
will  be  convinced,  that  it  is  sinful  to  talk  thus.  Now  they 
say,  "  it  is  unjust  to  be  called  upon  to  love  God  with  all 
the  heart,  to  repent  of  sin,  and  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus, 
when,"  as  they  say,  "they  cannot:"  then  sinners  will  be 
led  to  see,  that  it  was  nothing  but  an  evil  heart,  which 
kept  them  from  loving,  repenting  and  believing ;  and  that 
to  excuse  themselves  on  account  of  a  wicked  heart  is  real- 


judson's  sermon  in  1790.  109 

ly  criminal.  Now  they  find  fault  with  the  way  of  life  by 
Christ.  "Must  we,"  say  they,  "  renounce  our  righteous- 
ness, heartily  confess  that  we  deserve  to  be  cast  into  hell, 
and  look  to  Jesus  for  salvation,  and  believe  in  him  on  pain 
of  eternal  ruin.  This  is  hard.  This  is  cruel."  In  the 
day  of  Judgment,  they  will  be  convicted  of  the  sin  of 
talking  in  this  manner.  Now  sinners  ridicule  religion, 
call  sober,  conscientious  people  whimsical.  And  the  man, 
who  abides  by  the  doctrines,  which  he  professes,  and 
pleads  for  the  cause  of  religion,  they  call  superstitious. 
Of  the  sin  of  all  these  hard  speeches,  which  are  in  effect 
against  God,  they  will  be  convinced  hi  the  day,  when  they 
appear  before  God.  For  Christ  is  to  convince  all  that  are 
ungodly  of  all  their  hard  speeches ,  which  ungodly  sinners 
have  spoken  against  him.  It  will  be  really  a  great  event 
to  convince  a  world  of  sinful  men,  of  all  their  vile  deeds, 
and  of  all  the  hard  things,  which  they  say  of  God. 

12.  It  will  be  a  great  day;  because  there  will  be  an 
end  to  the  means  of  grace,  an  end  to  the  world,  and  all 
things  in  it. 

No  more  warnings  will  be  given  to  sinners.  Every 
saint  will  then  go  home  to  rest  from  trials  and  afflictions. 
Sabbaths  will  be  swallowed  up  in  one  eternal  sabbath  in 
heaven.  The  heralds  of  the  Lord  Jesus  will  go  forth  no 
more  to  preach  the  terrors  of  the  Law,  and  administer  the 
balm  of  the  gospel.  No  more  opportunities  for  prayer 
will  be  granted  to  poor  sinners ;  neither  will  the  saints  lift 
up  one  cry  to  the  God  of  mercies  in  their  behalf.  The 
great  work  of  redemption,  as  it  relates  to  what  is  done  in 
this  world  will  be  finished. 

Christ  will  then  have  no  further  use  for  this  earth,  and 
worlds  subservient  to  it.     He  will,  therefore,  destroy  it 
10 


110  THE  MINISTRY  OF  TAUNTON. 

and  them.  He  wiD  put  in  his  sickle,  reap  the  harvest, 
and  give  up  the  field  to  fire.  The  heavens  and  the  earth 
which  are  now,  by  the  same  word  are  kept  in  store,  re- 
served unto  fire,  against  the  day  of  judgment,  and  perdi- 
tion of  ungodly  men*  The  heavens  shall  pass  away  with 
a  great  noise,  and  the  elements  shall  melt  with  fervent 
heat,  the  earth  also  and  the  works  that  are  therein  shall 
be  burned  up.f  Fields  and  vineyards  will  be  destroyed, 
and  cultivated  no  more.  The  sun  will  forget  to  rise  and 
set.  The  moon  will  not  know  her  place  The  horrors  of 
war,  and  the  songs  of  the  gay  will  totally  cease.  Like 
noble  structures  and  lofty  piles  tumbling  down  in  a  city 
consuming  in  flames  of  fire,  material  worlds  will  tumble 
from  their  magnificence,  and  perish  in  one  general  confla- 
gration. How  tremendous  the  scene!  How  great  the 
day! 

13.  Other  things,  which  will  make  the  day  of  judg- 
ment great,  will  be  the  separation  that  the  judge  will  make 
between  the  righteous  and  the  wicked,  and  the  sentence 
that  he  will  pass. 

He  shall  separate  them  one  from  another  as  a  shepherd 
divideth  his  sheep  from  the  goats:  and  he  shall  set  the 
sheep  on  his  right  hand,  but  the  goats  on  the  left.^  In 
ancient  days  when  people  were  tried  by  civil  courts,  the 
innocent  were  ordered  by  the  judge  to  go  over  on  the 
right  hand ;  the  guilty  on  the  left.  In  allusion  to  this 
practice,  our  Saviour  speaks  of  placing  the  righteous  on 
the  right  hand,  the  wicked  on  the  left. 

He  will  separate  families.  He  will  set  the  pious  parent 
on  the  right,  and  his  wicked  children  on  the  left.  The 
pious  brother  and  sister  on  the  right  hand,  the  wicked  pa- 

*  2  Pet.  iii.  7  t  2  Pet.  iii.  10.  J  Matt.  xxt.  32,  33. 


JTDSOX'S   SERMON  IN  1790.  Ill 

rent,  brethren  and  sisters  on  the  left.  On  the  right  hand 
wifl  stand  Enoch,  Moses  and  all  the  saints,  who  lived  be- 
fore Christ.  Also  all,  who  belong  to  the  society  of  believ- 
ers in  the  days  of  the  gospel.  Our  christian  friends,  who 
belonged  to  this  town,  who  are  departed,  you  will  see  on* 
the  right  hand  of  the  judge.  On  the  left  you  see  Judas, 
who  sold  his  Lord  for  thirty  pieces  of  silver.  Judas, 
wouldst  thou  not  give  more  than  that  goodly  price  to  be 
delivered  from  thy  Judge !  There  stands  Pilate  with  pale 
face,  and  trembling  limbs,  who  passed  sentence,  that  Christ 
should  be  crucified.  Wouldst  thou  not  give  worlds  and  all 
the  equipage  that  once  adorned  thy  court  to  be  saved  from 
the  sentence,  that  Jesus  is  about  to  pass  on  thee.  And 
what  great  multitude  is  that,  which  we  behold?  It  is 
that  which  is  composed  of  Jews,  who  insulted  Christ  on. 
the  cross,  and  all  unbelievers,  waiting  to  hear  the  dreadful 
sentence  from  him,  whom  in  this  life  they  despised. 

When  the  trial  is  finished,  and  the  separation  made, 
the  judge  will  pass  sentence.  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my 
Father  inherit  the  Idngdom  prepared  for  you  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world*  Songs  of  praise  will  burst  from 
the  vast  host  of  the  righteous,  expressive  of  their  joyful 
feelings,  and  of  their  admiration  of  the  grace  of  God  in 
their  salvation.  All  become  silent,  the  whole  multitude  of 
good  and  evil  beings  solemn  and  attentive.  The  judge 
with  a  voice,  that  will  be  heard  through  the  vast  host, 
passes  sentence  against  the  wicked.  Depart  from  me,  ye 
cursed  into  everlasting  fire  prepared  for  the  devil  and  his 
an  gels,  f  They  sink  under  the  sentence  down  to  eternal 
woe.     The  righteous  ascend  in  triumph  to  eternal  joys. 

*  Mat.  xxv.  34.  t  Mat.  xxv.  41. 


112  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

Let  us  now  close  this  interesting  and  solemn  subject 
with  a  very  brief  application. 

I.  Christ  hath  a  great  character. 

We  often  judge  of  characters  by  what  they  do.  In 
•this  way,  we  may  judge  of  the  character  of  Christ.  Will 
he  raise  the  dead,  and  judge  every  moral  being  in  heaven, 
earth  and  hell,  he  will  do  a  great  work,  that  infinitely  tran- 
scends the  ability  of  any  finite  being.  Can  any  being, 
that  is  not  infinitely  powerful,  wise  and  just,  do  such  a 
great  work  ?  The  work  is  so  great,  that  it  gives  the  most 
exalted  thoughts  of  him,  and  compels  us  into  a  belief,  that 
he  is  God. 

II.  Are  we  to  be  judged  for  what  we  do  in  this  life, 
and  to  be  treated  according  to  the  character,  which  we 
form  here,  the  time  of  life  is  important. 

We  live  but  a  short  time.  The  oldest  person  can  say, 
that  his  days  are  few.  But  a  few  live  to  old  age.  Some 
die  in  youth.  Others  are  cut  off  in  the  midst  of  their 
days.  In  this  short  life,  every  one  of  us  are  forming 
characters,  in  which  we  shall  appear  in  the  great  day  of 
trial.     How  important  then  is  the  time  of  life. 

III.  Are  we  to  appear  before  Christ  to  be  judged,  it 
highly  concerns  us  to  secure  an  interest  in  his  favor. 

His  smiles  will  be  life.  His  frowns  will  be  death. 
Who,  in  his  senses,  wishes  to  spend  his  short  life  in  sin, 
provoke  Christ,  and  receive  the  sentence  :  Depart  ye  curs- 
ed. 

IY.  VvrE  have  a  most  interesting  scene  before  us. 

A  SICK  bed  is  interesting.  Death  is  interesting.  But 
the  day  of  judgment  is  more  interesting ;  for  each  one  of 
us  must  be  present,  and  have  a  part  in  the  transactions  of 
the  day.     We  now  realize  life.     We  shall  realize  death. 


judson's  sermon  in  1790.  113 

We  shall  realize  the  solemn  things  of  the  day  of  judgment. 
It  is  certain  that  the  offers  of  mercy  are  made  to  us.  But 
not  more  certain,  than  that  we  shall  be  judged.  The  day 
being  distant  does  not  lessen  its  interesting  nature.  When 
the  time  comes,  it  will  be  as  important  to  us,  as  if  it 
should  begin  to  day.  It  was  as  interesting  to  Pilate,  who 
lived  seventeen  hundred  years  ago,  as  it  is  to  a  man,  who 
lives  in  this  age.  You  will,  dear  friends,  feel  the  truth  of 
this  observation,  when  you  meet  Christ  in  judgment.  De- 
lays, objections  and  unbelief  will  not  save  you  from  the 
trial.  Rocks  and  mountains  cannot  cover  you  from  the 
knowledge  of  the  judge.  Be  you,  where  you  may,  his 
summons  will  arrest,  and  carry  you  to  the  tribunal. 
Amen. 

10* 


APPENDIX  TO  CHAPTER  THIRD. 


Note  A.     Pa<re  38. 


c  ■ 


It  does  not  comport  with  the  plan  of  this  work  to  enter  mi- 
nutely into  a  history  of  the  unhappy  differences,  which  sprang 
up  in  town  a  little  before  the  beginning  of  the  present  century. 
A  few  facts  only,  contained  in  the  authentic  Records  of  the 
times,  will  be  given. 

"Nov.  12,  1790.  At  a  meeting  of  the  church,  convened  at 
Dea.  Robert  Crossman's,  the  following  questions  were  submit- 
ted to  the  church,  and  votes  passed : 

1st.  Whether  the  church  are  satisfied  with  the  doctrines, 
preaching,  and  christian  conduct  of  the  Rev.  Ephraim  Judson, 
the  Pastor?     Voted  in  the  affirmative. 

2c?.  "Whether  the  church  wish  to  continue  him  in  the  ministry, 
if  it  be  thought  consistent  with  his  usefulness,  and  the  good  of 
the  Congregational  Society?  Voted  in  the  affirmative.  In 
each  of  the  above  votes,"  say  the  Records,  "  there  was  no  dis- 
senting voice,  excepting  one  brother,  who  chose  not  to  vote,  be- 
cause he  did  not  like  the  mode  of  proceeding." 

At  this  meeting,  the  church  appointed  a  Committee,  of  which 
Brig.  Gen.  George  Godfrey  was  Chairman,  "to  prepare  an  ad- 
dress to  the  congregation,  asking  for  their  cooperation  and  aid 
in  the  support  of  Mr.  Judson."  In  this  address,  they  "  deplore 
a  disagreable  dissolution  of  that  connection  which  has  now  for 
some  years  been  sustained.  In  that  case,"  they  continue,  "it 
appears  to  us  somewhat  alarming,  and  that  serious  consequences 
will  unavoidably  be  the  effect  of  such  a  dissolution.  Said 
church  arc  unanimously  of  opinion,  that  should  a  separation 


COUNCIL    CALLED   IN   1790.  115 

between  our  present  Pastor  and  us  take  place,  by  reason  of  the 
difficulties  aforesaid,  (tbey  had  enumerated  some  of  them,)  the 
probability  of  a  division  in  this  society  for  the  future  will  be  the 
effect,  although  we  the  said  members  hare  not  the  remotest  wish 
for  such  a  separation.  As  embracers  of  the  doctrines  practiced 
by  our  forefathers  of  real  religion,  at  their  emigration  over  the 
Atlantic  to  this  country,  the  church  propose  in  no  wise  to  bo 
deficient  according  to  their  ability,  in  continuing  our  present 
Pastor  in  the  work  of  the  ministry.  Notwithstanding,  should 
you  be  of  a  mind  very  different,  respecting  his  remaining  in 
that  relation  to  us,  and  in  consequence  thereof,  contentions, 
separations  and  divisions  take  place  among  us,  we  are  persuad- 
ed, you  will  by  no  means  whatever,  charge  us  as  being  accesso- 
ry thereto." 

The  appeal  of  the  church  to  the  congregation  was  not  suc- 
cessful in  constraining  a  sufficient  number  to  unite  in  the  sup- 
port of  Mr.  Judson,  to  render  his  continuance  in  town  desirable 
and  pleasant. 

Note  B.     Page  40. 

The  Council  called  to  consider  the  question  of  dismissing  Mr. 
Judson,  consisted  of  Rev.  Mr.  Weld,  of  Braintree,  Bev.  Mr. 
Niles,  of  Abington,  Bev.  Mr.  Smith,  of  Dighton,  Bev.  Mr. 
Andros,  of  Berkley,  and  their  delegates.  The  Letter  Missive 
which  invited  them  to  meet  has  been  preserved.  In  it,  the 
church  of  Taunton  make  use  of  the  following  language : 

"Dearly  beloved;  several  disagreeable  things  in  Divine 
Providence  have  taken  place  in  this  town,  which  to  the  inex- 
pressible grief  of  us,  your  brethren,  threaten  to  deprive  us  of 
our  worthy  Pastor.  In  our  distressed  state,  we  have  agreed  to 
apply  to  the  churches,  to  hear  our  case,  and  give  us  advice." 

A  communication  their  Pastor  had  addressed  to  the  church 
was  read  before  the  Council.     It  was  as  follows  : 

"  Dear  brethren  :  when  preaching  on  probation  among  you, 
I  was  highly  pleased  to  find,  that  the  church  was  disposed  to. 
examine  me,  before  they  gave  me  a  call  to  settle,  relative  to  my 


11 G  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

ideas  of  the  doctrines  of  grace,  and  experimental  religion.  By 
the  questions  that  were  asked,  the  mutual  conversations  that  we 
had,  and  by  your  Articles  of  Faith,*  I  found  that  we  were 
agreed  in  sentiment,  relative  to  the  interesting  doctrines  of  sal- 
vation, and  the  rule  of  building  the  spiritual  House  of  God. 
You  have  always  appeared,  since  my  connection  with  you,  to 
adhere  to  the  doctrines  of  Grace.  You  have  appeared  unani- 
mous in  your  friendship  to  me.  We  have  always  been  united 
in  instances  of  discipline,  some  of  which  have  been  important 
and  deeply  interesting.  We  have  harmoniously  concurred  in 
the  admission  of  forty-five  persons  to  church  fellowship.  You 
have  walked  in  a  measure,  so  far  as  I  know,  agreeable  to  the 
rules  of  the  Gospel.  I  have  met  you  at  the  Sacrament  with 
pleasure.  I  have  always  felt  myself  happy  in  my  Pastoral  re- 
lation to  you.  No  event  in  the  course  of  my  life  has  been  more 
affecting,  than  the  difficulties  of  the  town,  that  have  greatly  in- 
terrupted our  peace,  and  which,  it  seems,  may  be  the  occasion 
of  dissolving  our  connection.  The  difficulties  appear  to  have 
arisen  partly  from  a  heavy  tax  occasioned  by  the  Episcopalians' 
drawing  a  large  sum  from  our  congregation ;  partly  from  local 
inconveniency  to  attend  at  the  old  meeting  house ;  partly  from 
an  opinion,  that  I  had  not  a  legal  right  to  my  salary,  because 
the  town  inadvertently  took  an  illegal  step  in  voting  my  sup- 
port, when  I  was  called  to  settle,  and  partly  from  a  dislike,  that 
a  few  influential  characters  have  to  the  doctrines  that  are  preach- 
ed. These  difficulties  have  excited  you  to  call  a  Council  for 
advice.  In  this  prudent  step,  I  heartily  acquiesce,  hoping  it 
may  give  us  light.  It  affords  me  great  consolation  that  you  are 
harmoniously  united  with  one  another,  and  friendly  to  me.  And 
above  all,  that  you  regard  the  great  doctrines  of  Grace,  respect- 
ing man's  salvation  by  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  May  the  Fath- 
er of  Mercies  open  your  hearts  more  and  more  to  receive  them, 
is  the  prayer  of  your  affectionate  Pastor, 

Ephraim  Judson." 

The  Council  voted  to  dismiss  Mr.  Judson,  commending  him, 

*  Appended  tc  this  note. 


DISMISSION   OF  MR.    JUDSON.  117 

in  their  Result,  to  the  Churches.  They  speak  approvingly  both 
of  him,  and  of  his  doctrinal  views  —  of  his  ministerial  life  and 
teachings.  They  lament  the  necessity  imposed  upon  them,  by 
"the  opposition  of  a  few  in  the  Society  to  some  of  the  distin- 
guishing doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  contained  in  the  Westminster 
Confession  of  Faith."  They  represent  the  Church  as  treating 
' '  their  Rev.  Pastor  with  the  sincerest  cordiality,  with  respect 
both  to  his  person  and  ministry,"  as  ready  "to  contribute  to 
his  support  according  to  their  abilities." 

On  the  second  and  last  day  of  the  meeting  of  the  Council, 
that  is,  the  29th  of  December,  1790,  Mr.  Judson  and  the 
Church  accepted  the  Result  of  Council,  recommending  in  view 
of  circumstances,  beyond  their  control,  and  with  no  promise  of 
improvement,  a  dissolution  of  the  Pastoral  relation. 

Accordingly  Mr.  Judson  asked  a  dismission  from  his  Pasto- 
ral charge,  which  the  Church  reluctantly  granted,  accompany- 
ing their  vote,  according  to  the  Records,*  with  the  following 
Recommendation,!  adopted  Jan.  2,  1791  : 

"Whereas  a  Council  of  Ministers  and  delegates  convened  at 
Taunton  on  the  28th  and  29th  days  of  Dec'br,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  one  thousand,  seven  hundred  and  ninety,  on  the  re- 
quest of  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Taunton,  for  consideration  and 
advice  under  the  present  situation  said  Church  and  Congrega- 
tional Society  labor  respecting  the  Rev.  Ephraim  Judson  con- 
tinuing as  their  Pastor  for  some  longer  term  of  time,  in  that 
relation  to  them ;  said  Council  after  deliberation  on  a  subject  of 
great  consequence  and  interesting  to  the  parties  concerned, 
unanimously  gave  in  their  result  and  advice,  that  the  connection 
between  us  and  our  Rev'd  Pastor  be  dissolved.  In  conse- 
quence thereof,  and  by  his  desire,  said  Church  with  painful  sen- 

*  The  Records  of  the  Church  to  the  time  of  Mr.  Judson  are  lost,  but 
fortunately  there  is  a  full  account  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Church 
during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Judson,  as  also  a  true  copy  of  the  "  Articles 
of  Faith,"  which,  being  the  "ancient  ones,"  are  particularly  valuable. 

t  This  Recommendation  is  given  without  amendment.  It  expresses 
in  no  professional,  studied  manner  the  sentiments  of  those  who  adopted 
it.    Its  very  awkwardness  of  style  is  perhaps  a  proof  of  its  genuineness. 


118  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

sations  of  mind  Voted  bis  dismission,  when  no  accusation  was 
exhibited  against  him  —  the  said  Mr.  Judson.  We,  the  Church, 
recommend  him  to  other  churches,  and  all  persons,  whom  it  may 
concern,  as  one  of  an  exemplary  moral  character,  and  the  doc- 
trines held  up  to  view  by  him  from  time  to  time  during  his  min- 
istry among  us,  well  agreed  with  the  religion  of  our  forefathers, 
and  the  sentiments  revealed  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  especially 
such  as  respected  faith  and  practice  were  his  delightful  themes 
on  Sabbath  days.  Wishing  him  that  peace  of  God,  that  passeth 
all  understanding,  to  lead  and  direct  him  through  this  wicked 
world  to  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven." 

The  "Articles  of  Faith"  to  which  Mr.  Judson  refers  in  his 
communication  to  the  Church  are  to  be  found  on  the  22d  page 
of  what  is  now  the  earliest  Book  of  Records  of  the  Church,  of 
which  he  was  Pastor.  What  adds  to  the  interest  of  these 
" Articles,"  is  the  fact  stated  in  a  note,  that  they  are  "the  an- 
tient  ones  "  of  the  Church.  It  is  in  keeping  with  the  object  of 
this  work,  which  professes  to  treat  of  "ancient"  things,  to 
transfer  these  "ancient  Articles  of  Faith,"  with  the  accompany- 
ing "  Covenant"  to  its  pages. 

"  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH 

OF    THE 

Original  Church  of  Christ  in  Taunton. 

1.  You  believe  that  there  is  but  one  only  living  and  True 
God,  maker  of  Heaven  and  Earth,  and  Governor  of  all  things; 
and  that  this  only  True  God  is  the  God  we  worship ;  that  this 
God  is  but  one,  yet  Three  distinct  Persons,  Father,  Son  and 
Holy  Ghost,  each  equally  God. 

2.  You  believe  God  created  man  after  His  own  image  in 
knowledge,  righteousness  and  true  holiness;  that  by  one  man 
sin  entered  into  the  World,  and  death  by  sin,  and  so  death 
passed  upon  all  men,  for  that  all  have  sinned ;  and  that  thereby, 
they  are  all  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins;  and  are  by  nature 
children  of  wrath,  and  liable  to  Eternal  Death,  the  Wages  of 
sin. 


ANCIENT  ARTICLES   OF  FAITH.  119 

3.  You  believe  there  is  but  one  Mediator  between  God  and 
Man,  the  man  Christ  Jesus,  Who  is  over  all,  Blessed  for  ever ; 
that  there  is  salvation  in  no  other.  You  believe,  He  was  con- 
ceived by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  and 
died  on  the  cross  to  save  His  people  from  their  sins,  rose  from 
the  dead  the  third  day,  ascended  into  Heaven  and  sitteth  at  the 
right  hand  of  the  Father,  making  continual  intercession  for  us, 
of  whose  fullness  we  receive  grace  that  is  necessary  to  salvation. 

4.  You  believe  that  Christ  and  His  benefits  are  applied  only 
by  faith,  and  that  faith  is  the  gift  of  God,  that  we  have  it  not 
of  ourselves,  but  is  wrought  in  us  by  the  "Word  and  Spirit  of 
God ;  that  faith  is  that  grace,  whereby  we  believe  and  trust  in 
Christ,  for  the  remission  of  sin  and  life  everlasting,  according 
to  the  promises  of  the  Gospel;  that  whoever  believeth  not  the 
Son  of  God  shall  not  see  life,  but  shall  perish  eternally ;  that 
those,  who  truly  repent  of  their  sins,  do  see  them  and  turn  from 
them  unto  the  Lord,  shall  be  saved,  and  that  except  men  be- 
lieve, they  shall  truly  perish.  You  also  believe,  that  a  holy, 
godly  life  is  conscientiously  ordered  according  to  the  Word  of 
God  in  holiness  and  righteousness,  without  which  no  man  shall 
see  the  Lord.  That  the  sacraments^are  seals  of  the  covenant 
of  Grace ;  that  the  sacraments  of  the  New  Testament  are  Bap- 
tism, and  the  Lord's  Supper;  that  the  outward  elements  in  the 
Lord's  Supper  are  Bread  and  WTine,  and  do  signify  the  worthy 
receivers  by  faith  Christ  has  ordained  for  a  remembrance  of  His 
death ;  that  whoever  eateth  and  drinketh  unworthily  is  guilty  of 
the  body  and  blood  of  our  Lord;  and  therefore  every  one 
should  examine  himself  lest  he  eat  and  drink  judgment  to  him- 
self, not  discerning  the  Lord's  body. 

5.  You  believe  the  souls  of  believers  go  immediately  to  bless- 
edness when  they  die,  and  the  souls  of  unbelievers  immediately 
to  Hell  torments. 

6.  You  believe  there  will  be  a  General  Judgment,  at  which 
time  the  bodies  of  the  Just  and  the  Unjust,  will  be  raised  and 
appear  at  Christ's  bar,  to  receive  according  to  what  they  have 
done,  in  this  life,  whether  it  be  good,  or  whether  it  be  evil,  and 


120  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

that  the   wicked   will  go   into  everlasting  punishment,  and  the 
righteous  into  life  eternal.     Amen. 

Church    Covenant. 

In  the  presence  of  God,  angels  and  this  assembly,  you  seri- 
ously and  solemnly,  according  to  the  terms  of  the  everlasting 
covenant,  take  the  True  God,  the  Lord  Jehovah  to  he  your 
God.  Renouncing  all  other  gods,  you  take  the  Lord  Jesus  to 
be  your  Redeemer,  Prophet,  Priest  and  King.  You  solemnly 
promise,  (Grace  assisting)  to  walk  sincerely  and  uprightly  be- 
fore God  all  your  days,  in  obedience  to  all  His  holy  command- 
ments, as  they  are  or  shall  be  made  known  to  you,  from  time  to 
time.  You  give  up  yourself  to  this  Church  in  the  Lord,  prom- 
ising and  covenanting;  to  cleave  to  us,  and  walk  together  with 
us  as  a  member  of  the  same  mystical  body,  and  as  an  instituted 
Church  of  Christ,  while  you  continue  a  member  of  it  in  holy 
love,  subjection,  and  watchfulness,  determining  to  assemble  with 
us  for  the  Worship  of  God,  ministering  to  our  need  as  God 
shall  enable  you.  You  submit  to  the  discipline  of  Christ  in 
this  Church.  You  promise  to  walk  orderly  in  a  way  of  fellow- 
ship with  all  the  Churches  of  Christ  among  us,  agreeable  to 
those  rules  of  holy  order  which  He  has  appointed,  that  the 
Lord  may  be  one  and  His  name  one  in  all  the  Churches  through 
all  generations,  to  His  Eternal  Glory  in  Christ  Jesus.  Thus 
you  promise. 

These  articles  and  covenant  aro  the  antient  ones  of  this 
Church." 


FRIENDS   AND    SANDEMANIAN    MEETINGS.  121 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE     MINISTRY    OF   TAUNTON,   FROM   THE   TIME   OF  THE 
DISMISSION    OF   REV.    EPHRAIM   JUDSON. 

"We  can  no  longer  speak  of  a  single  church,  or  of  a  sin- 
gle minister  in  the  town  of  Taunton.  Messrs.  Hooke, 
Street,  Shove,  Danforth,  and  Clap  preached  to  a  congre- 
gation gathered  from  the  whole  town,  and  were  the  sole 
Pastors  of  the  place.     It  was  not  so  with  their  successors. 

The  Meeting  of  Friends. 

Mr.  Danforth  in  his  letter  to  Cotton  Mather,  and  the 
other  ministers  of  Boston  in  1720,*  gives  intimation  of  a 
meeting  distinct  from  his  own  "in  a  corner"  of  his  parish, 
attended  however  only  by  "three  or  four."  This  wa3  a 
meeting  of  such  as  had  embraced,  what  he  calls  "  Quaker 
notions,"  and  there  is  now  in  the  North- West  part  of  the 
town  a  Quaker  meeting-house,  unoccupied,  which  must 
have  been  built  sometime  in  the  last  century.  There  is  a 
place  of  worship  belonging  to  the  Society  of  Friends  in 
Freetown,  near  the  Berkley  line,  and  yet  another  in  Mans- 
field, which  are  located  in  what  was  once  a  part  of  Mr. 
Danforth's  parish. 

The  Sandemanian  Meeting. 

"We  have  already  noticedf  the  origin  of  the   Sandema- 

*  Vide  page  264,  vol.  1.  t  Vide  page  241,  vol.  I. 

11 


122  THE   MINISTRY   OP  IAUBTOX. 

man  meeting  in   1785,   under  the   auspices  of  one  Mr. 
Brewer,  from  Connecticut.     According  to  a  statistical  pa- 
noticed  in  the  previous  volume,  (page  345,)  the  Polls 
for  1TSS  in  the   -whole  town  were  six  hundred  and  sixty- 
seven,  of  which  twenty-seven  were  Sandemanians.  six  were 
Friends,   fifty-seven   were    Baptists   connected  with  Mr. 
n's  church  in  North  Taunton,  twenty-two  were  Bap- 
connected  with  Mr.  Goff  and  others  in  South  Taun- 
ton, ninety  were  Episcopalians,  two  were  Murrenites.  and 
the  remainder,  (two  hundred  and  sixty-three.)  were  Con- 
gregationalists.     Whilst  the  Society  of  Friends  have  sus- 
pended their  meeting,  and  the   church  of  Mr.  Nelson  re- 
moved to  Norton,  there  are  also  very  few  of  the  Sandema- 
nians remaining  in  town. 

The  Protestant  Episcopal   Chureli. 

The  origin  of  this  church  in  the  last  century  was 
noticed  in  a  preceding  chapter.'  Its  "  first  resident 
minister,"  (if  I  may  once  more  refer  to  Rev.  X.  T.  Bent's 
Discourse,  historical  of  St.  Thomas'  Church.)  "appears  to 
have  been  the  Rev.  John  Lyon,  who  holds  this  claim  upon 
our  gratitude,  that  he  left  a  fan-  and  apparently  a  complete 
record  of  his  official  acts.  Mr.  Lyon's  first  baptism  was 
on  February  Gth.  1765.  from  about  which  time,  perhaps  a 
few  months  earlier,  his  ministry  here  commenced.  In 
April  of  that  year,  we  find  the  parish  agreeing  with  Mr. 
Lyon  as  their  minister,  for  a  salary  of  twenty  pounds  an- 
nually, as  long  as  he  should  continue  with  them ;  this  prob- 
ably in  addition  to  the  use  of  the  Glebe,  and  a  stipend 
from  the  society  in  England.  And  what  may  be  mention- 
ed to  their  praise,  we  find  the  statement  of  the  Wardens, 

*  Vide  page  342,  vol.  1. 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH.  123 

that  in  March,  1706,  before  the  expiration  of  his  first 
year,  they  had  settled  with  Mr.  Lyon,  and  paid  him  his 
salary  "to  his  good  acceptance  " — an  example  of  prompt- 
ness, we  venture  to  say,  which  few  parishes  in  New-Eng- 
land have  more  uniformly  imitated  than  this. 

The  number  of  communicants  in  the  church  in  1764  was 
Twelve.  Twenty  more  were  added  in  1765.  This  made 
the  number  Thirty-two.  In  the  same  year  there  were 
Twenty-seven  baptisms  of  children  and  adults.  Tradition 
speaks  of  Mr.  Lyon  as  a  most  estimable  man,  and  exem- 
plary minister  of  Christ.  He  seems  to  have  been  watch- 
ful over  the  lambs  of  his  flock.  The  number  of  children 
under  catechetical  instruction  in  1765  was  sixteen.  Con- 
firmation in  the  absence  of  a  Bishop,  could  not  be  admin- 
istered. It  appears  also  that  Mr.  Lyon  was  not  regard- 
less of  the  interests  of  the  community  in  the  matter  of  so- 
briety and  good  morals.  We  sometimes  accuse  the  minis- 
try of  that  period  with  indifference  to  existing  vices.  Mr. 
Lyon,  it  appears  from  the  record,  distributed  at  one  time, 
twenty  copies  of  a  book  or  tract,  entitled,  "  Admonition  to 
the  drinkers  of  spirituous  liquors."  One  evidence,  at 
least,  of  a  minister's  laboring  to  make  men  temperate,  and 
that  too  in  his  own  appointed  sphere,  eighty  years  ago. 
Who  shall  say,  that  such  labors  were  in  vain,  however 
much  they  left  to  be  done  by  those  who  should  come  after  ?" 

"  The  loss  of  records,"  continues  Mr.  Bent,  "  forbids 
me  to  say,  how  long  Mr.  Lyon's  ministry  continued.  He 
left  some  time  before  the  Revolution,  it  is  believed,  and 
went  to  Virginia,  where  he  died. 

During  the  Revolution,  most  of  the  Episcopal  churches, 
in  this  section  of  the  country  especially,  were  closed  ;  a 
measure  which  the  evils,  and  particularly  the  political  de- 


124  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUTTTOIf. 

rangements  of  the  times  made  necessary.  The  Church  in 
Taunton  probably  shared  the  common  fate.  Its  fortunes 
during  that  dark  period  are  unknown.  Nor  are  we  able  to 
fix  the  date  of  its  next  mini  nnection  with  it  —  the 

Rev.  TT//>.  W.  Wheeler.  It  was  probably  in  1785,  or 
.  His  first  recorded  baptism  was  in  November,  1786. 
I  regret  that  I  can  say  so  little  of  his  ministry.  The  leaves 
which  bore  its  records  are  gone  to  the  flames  or  the  winds. 
As  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Lyon,  sacrilegious  hands  have  left 
us  the  beginning,  as  if  to  excite  our  curiosity,  and  taken 
away  the  continuance,  as  if  to  d  .     And  those, 

whose  memories  might  have  been  to  us.  a  more  interesting 
book  than  the  register,   are  slumbering  with  the 

deal.     Tradition  speaks  of  Mr.  Wheeler's  mi]  suc- 

cessful for  the  times.  In  connection  with  his  parish,  he 
also  ministered  to  the  people  in  Mid  .  water, 

and  Scituate,  giving  one-fourth  of  his  time  to  each  of  these 
places.  He  resided  for  many  years  upon  the  Glebe*  of 
the  parish  here.     His  c  ttion,  according  to  the  mem- 

ory of  one,  who  often  attended  during  the  latter  part  of 
his  minis:.  .  from  thirty  to  one  hundred 

persons.  He  is  reported  to  have  been  an  estimable  man 
and  an  intelligent  divine.     But  his  usefuln:  much 

hindered  in  the  latter  portion  of  his  ministry  by  political 
causes.  He  was  here  during  the  period  of  the  French 
Revolution.  His  political  opinions  were  very  decided. 
They  were  the  occasion  of  his  1  ish,a  major- 

ity being  opposed  to  him  on  that  ground,  and  on  that 
ground  alone.     His  connection  wit] 
April,  17  loved  ho  e  he 

*  I:  has  already  bee  i  in  the  west  part  of  the 

town  nearly  opposite  the  birth-place  of  Judge  Wilde. 


PROTESTANT   EPISCOPAL    CHURCH.  125 


labored  acceptably  for  some  years,  where  he  died  Jan.  14, 
1810,  and  was  buried." 

This  parish  had  no  settled  minister  from  1798  to  1829. 
The  old  meeting-house  on  the  Glebe  was  for  many  years 
"  the  sport  of  the  elements,  and  the  shelter  of  the  birds." 
"  The  sparrow  "  there  "found  a  house,  and  the  swallow  a 
nest  for  herself,  even  thine  altars,  0  Lord."  At  length, 
in  1815,  the  memorable  September  gale  made  a  complete 
wreck  of  what  was  never  after  rebuilt.  "  The  frail  foun- 
dation walls,  and  moss-covered  tomb-stones  of  those  who 
once  worshipped  beneath  its  unceiled  roof  alone  remain. 

Several  efforts  were  made  to  revive  the  parish  of  St. 
Thomas,  before  the  successful  one."  The  present  Church 
of  the  society,  which  with  its  organ,  furniture  and  enlarge- 
ment in  1810-41,  has  cost  not  far  from  $12,000,  was 
consecrated  by  Bishop  Griswold,  in  June,  1829. 

Rev.  John  West,  a  native  of  Boston,  and  graduate  at 
Harvard  University  in  1813,  officiated  as  Hector  of  the 
church  from  the  revival  of  its  services  until  1833. 

Rev.  Hexrt  Blackaller,  a  native  of  England,  was  in- 
stituted Rector,  May  5th,  1833,  and  resigned  in  1835. 

Rev.  Samuel  Hassard,  a  native  of  Jamaica,  West 
Indies,  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1826,  was  instituted 
Rector  Nov.  5th,  1835,  resigned  Oct.  31,  1838,  removed 
to  Great  Barrington,  Mass.,  and  there  died. 

Rev.  Edmund  Neville,  a  native  of  England,  and  a 
student  of  Rev".  Thomas  Scott,  was  instituted  Rector,  July 
24, 1839,  resigned  June,  1841,  and  removed  to  Philadel- 
phia, where  he  still  remains,  one  of  the  most  popular  and 
influential  preachers  of  that  city. 

Rev.  N.  T.  Bent,  a  native  of  Milton,  Mass.,  graduated 
11* 


126  THE   MINISTRY    OF   TAUNTON. 

at  Harvard  University,  in  1831.  was  instituted  Rector 
Feb.  1842,  and  resigned  Oct.  1846. 

Rev.  Theodore  W.  Snow,  a  native  of  Boston,  gradua- 
ted at  Harvard  University  in  1830,  was  instituted  Rector, 
April  5th,  1847,  and  still  continues  in  that  office. 

The  fear  expressed  by  the  original  church  of  Taunton 
in  their  communication  to  the  town,*  lest  the  dismission  of 
Mr.  Judson  might  lead  to  a  division  of  the  society  was 
not  without  reason.  Such  a  division  actually  took 
place ;  and  refraining  from  all  comments  on  the  occasion 
for  this  division,  and  every  incidental  cjuestion  connected 
therewith,  I  only  propose,  in  accordance  with  the  plan  of 
this  work,  to  make  the  briefest  possible  statement  concern- 
ing the  ministry  of  each  section  of  the  church  and  society, 
leaving  the  vexed  question  of  church  identity,  and  the  de- 
tails of  their  respective  histories,  to  those  who  may  have 
time,  taste,  and  materials  for  the  undertaking. 

The  Congregational  Church.      West  Taunton. 

This  was  composed  of  the  entire  original  Church,  with 
the  exception  of  three  males  and  one  female.  These  sep- 
arated! themselves  from  the  Town  Parish  in  1792,  organiz- 
ed a  new  society  in  the  west  part  of  the  town,  and  soon 
after  built  a  meeting-house,  nearly  a  mile  beyond  the 
Episcopal  glebe,  in  which  they  worshipped  for  thirty-two 

years. $ 

Rev.   Mr.   Judson  the  former  pastor   of  the    church, 

*  Vide  page  114. 

t  The  immediate  cause  of  the  separation  was  the  attempt  to  settle 
Mr.  John  Foster,  against  whom  several  serious  charges  were  brought  by 
the  church,  all  of  which  the  future  more  than  ver 

X  Their  Jirst  meeting  after  the  separation  was  in  Dea.  Isaac  Tubbs' 
barn.  The  meeting-house  afterwards  built,  was  taken  down  in  1S24, 
and  a  new  one  erected  in  another  part  of  the  parish,  in  the  centre  of  a 
small  manufacturing  village,  known  as  "  WeStnUe." 


CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH.   WEST  TAUNTON.   127 

preached  for  a  short  time  ;  and  after  hini,  a  variety  of 
ministers,  some  of  whom  are  vet  held  in  grateful  remem- 
brance. Mr.  Preston,  Mr.  Wines,  Mr.  Farrington,  and 
Mr.  Ogdon  are  more  particularly  mentioned  as  acceptable 
preachers  and  excellent  men.  Mr.  Farrington  received  a 
call  to  settle,  which  he  declined.  Mr.  Ogdon  died  at  the 
house  of  Mr.  Peter  Walker,  and  was  buried  on  the  plain, 
near  the  Society's  first  House  of  Worship.  The  stone 
which  marks  the  place  of  his  burial  bears  the  following  in- 
scription : 

"In  memory  of  Mr.  Xath.  Ogdon,  a.  b.,  of  Fairfield, 
X.  J.,  Preacher  of  the  Gospel,  who  died  July  11th,  1796, 
aged  28.  He  had  preached  only  seven  Lord  Days,  when 
our  high  expectations  of  his  future  usefulness  were  sud- 
denly blasted." 

Eev.  Mr.  Cobb,  present  Pastor  of  the  church  in  "West 
Taunton,  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  several  of  the  above 
facts,  says  of  Mr.  Ogdon :  "  He  was  a  very  promising 
young  man,  sound  in  doctrine,  clear  in  religious  experi- 
ence, and  forcible  in  argumentation." 

Rev.  Samuel  W.  Colburx  accepted  an  invitation  to 
settle  with  this  church  in  1809,  and  was  ordained  August 
30th  of  that  year.  Rev.  Otis  Thompson  of  Rehoboth 
offered  the  Introductory  Prayer.  Rev.  Benjamin  Wood 
of  Upton  preached  the  sermon.  Rev.  Mr.  Shepherd  of 
R.  I.  offered  the  Ordaining  Prayer.  Rev.  Frederick 
Crafts  of  Middleboro'  gave  the  Charge.  Rev.  Thomas 
Andros  of  Berkley  expressed  the  Fellowship  of  the 
churches.  Rev.  Mr.  Holman  of  Attleboro'  offered  the 
Concluding  Prayer.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1812, 
Mr.  Colburn  asked  a  dismission,  which  was  granted. 

On  the  19th  of  April,  1815,  Rev.  Alvan  Cobb,  present 


128  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

Pastor,  was  ordained,  and  installed  as  successor  of  Mr. 
Colburn,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest  settled  ministers  in  Mas- 
sachusetts. In  a  historical  sermon  of  Mr.  Cobb,  in  MS., 
to  which  I  have  had  access,  he  makes  the  following  inter- 
esting statements :  "  The  first  Sabbath  School  in  Bristol 
County  was  organized  in  connection  with  this  church  in 
1816.*  Several  seasons  of  unusual  religious  interest  have 
been  enjoyed.  The  first  in  1815,  when  seventeen  were 
received  to  the  church.  In  1820,  there  was  a  still  larger 
accession  of  thirty.  In  1825,  the  new  meeting-house  of 
the  Society  was  dedicated  by  a  memorable  season  of  the 
outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  when  the  whole  parish  was 
reached,  and  nearly  sixty  hopefully  converted  and  brought 
into  the  church.  Rev.  A.  Nettleton  was  an  honored  in- 
strument of  doing  great  good  in  that  Revival.  In  1830-31, 
a  fourth  precious  Revival  was  enjoyed.  During  one 
week,  nineteen  expressed  a  hope  in  Christ,  thirty-six  pro- 
fessed religion.  In  1838-39,  there  was  a  more  limited 
season  of  refreshing.  Twenty-six  were  added  to  the 
church.  In  1840,  there  was  a  further  addition  of  six." 
Some  of  Mr.   Cobb's  sermons  have  been  published.*     He 

*  This  was  four  years  previous  to  the  first  Sabbath  School  organiza- 
tion at  "  the  Green.'"'  In  1820,  two  ladies,  (see  pp.  246  and  248,  vol.  1. 
Mrs.  Sarah  Iv.  Fales  and  Miss  Frances  SproatJ  opened  a  school,  simi- 
lar in  its  character  to  the  Sabbath  School,  on  Saturday  afternoon,  in  a 
private  room,  with  eight  scholars,  the  expenses  being  borne  by  the 
teachers.  After  being  removed  from  place  to  place,  as  the  school  in- 
creased in  numbers,  it  at  length  so  far  gained  the  sympathy  of  others, 
that  the  Town  Hall  was  offered,  when  one  male,  and  two  female  teach- 
ers were  added  to  their  number,  and  the  school  readied  the  sum  total  of 
twenty-five.  Thence  it  removed  to  the  old  Court  House,  and  for  the 
first  time  was  regularly  organized  by  the  appointment  of  a  Superintend- 
ent and  other  officers.  From  this  small  beginning  thirty-two  years  ago, 
have  sprung  the  numerous  Sabbath  Schools  of  the  place,  preceded,  as 
we  have  seen,  by  a  still  earlier  experiment  in  the  west  part  of  the  town. 
My  informant  in  this  matter  is  George  B.  Atwood,  Esq. 

t  I  have  seen  the  following:  "A  sermon  delivered  at  Plymouth  before 
the  Robinson  congregation  on  the  22d  of  Dec.  1831,"  called  ua  Pilgrim 


CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH.   TAUNTON  GREEN.  129 

has  given  instruction  to  several  young  men  in  their  prep- 
aration for  the  Gospel  ministry.* 

The   Congregational  Church.     Taunton   Green. 

Four  members  of  the  original  Congregational  Church  of 
Taunton,  viz:  Dca.  Robert  Luscombe,  Israel  Deane,  Wil- 
liam Austin  and  Lydia  Harvey  with  four  other  new  mem- 
bers, united  with  the  first  Parish  in  Taunton,  in  calling 
Mr.  John  Foster  to  settle  with  them  in  the  work  of  the 
Gospel  ministry.!  Mr.  Foster  was  accordingly  installed 
over  said  church  and  society  the  16th  of  May,  1792.  Mr. 
Baylies  informs  us,  that  Mr.  Foster  was  probably  a  native 
of  Stafford,  Ct.,  as  his  father  was  the  minister  of  that 
town.  The  first  settlement  of  the  Taunton  minister  was 
in  Paxton,  Ms.,  where,  we  are  informed,  "his  general  de- 
portment was  not  considered  sufficiently  serious  and  guard- 
ed for  his  station." 

The  remainder  of  our  notice  of  this  remarkable  man  is 
faithfully  copied  from  an  historical  sketch,  ascribed  to 
Hon.  Francis  Baylies,  and  originally  published  in  the 
"Taunton  Tri-weekly  Gazette  "  for  1833. 

Sermon;"  "a  sermon  delivered  at  the  ordination  of  Rev.  Charles  Sim- 
mons over  the  Hebron  Church  and  Congregation  in  Attleboro'  and 
Seekonk,  Dec.  26,  1832,';  and  "  a  sermon  preached  Sept.  22,  1833.  occa- 
sioned by  the  death  of  Mrs.  Hannah,  wife  of  Benjamin  Walker."  He 
has  also  written  one  or  more  Tracts  for  the  Doctrinal  Tract  Society,  of 
which  Society  he  has  been  for  several  years  a  Director. 

*  The  names  of  some  of  these  are  James  Tisdale;  Charles  J.  Warren; 
Michael  Burdett;  Martyn  Cushman;  David  Tilton;  and  Thomas  T. 
Richmond.  Pastor  of  the  church  in  Medfield,  Ms.  Mr.  Richmond  is 
one  of  several  young  men,  who  have  entered  the  christian  ministry  from 
different  Evangelical  churches  in  Taunton.  The  names  of  others  which 
-now  occur  to  me  are,  Rev.  William  J.  Breed,  recently  of  the  High  St. 
Church,  Providence;  Rev.  Cyrus  W.  Allen,  now  settled  in  Coleraine, 
Ms. ;  Rev.  Robert  Carver,  present  Pastor  of  Church  in  Raynham  ;  Rev. 
James  Walker,  settled  in  Bucksport,  Me.;  Rev.  Frederick' A.  Reed,  set- 
tled in  Cohasset,  Ms.;  Rev.  James  Tisdale,  stated  supply  at  Shutesbcry, 
Ms. ;  and  Rev.  Eben  Dawes,  Jr.,  still  resident  in  Taunton. 

t  My  authority  for  this  statement  is  Rev.  Alvan  Cobb,  who  has  been 
a  minister  in  Taunton  since  1815. 


130  TIIE   MINISTRY    OF   TAUXTON. 

"Perhaps  none  of  our  ministers  have  been  more  admir- 
ed; and  yet  he  owed  all  his  popularity  as  a  preacher,  to 
his  voice  and  solemn  maimer,  together  with  some  original 
and  peculiar  qualities ;  his  education  was  slight  and  he 
had  no  literary  taste.  His  voice  was  unequalled,  not  for 
melody  or  sweetness,  but  for  its  deep  and  solemn  tones, 
which  were  at  times  almost  terrific.  He  seemed  like  an 
ancient  Prophet,  announcing  woes  and  miseries,  and  the 
destruction  of  cities.  Even  inanimate  matter  seemed 
moved,  and  the  house  itself  would  tremble  under  his  tre- 
mendous volume  of  voice.  His  imagination  was  not  fertile 
but  capable  of  sublime  conceptions.  Persons  yet  remem- 
ber the  deep  sublimity  of  his  prayer  on  the  muster-field. 
Sitting  on  his  horse,  with  open  eyes,  in  the  glare  of  the 
sunshine,  he  commenced :  c  Storms,  and  tempests,  earth- 
quakes, thunder  and  lightning,  are  Thy  artillery,  0  Thou 
great  God  of  battles  !  Angels  and  archangels  form  Thy 
phalanx,  0  Thou  dread  Lord  of  Hosts !"  He  went  through 
his  prayer  without  falling  from  this  exalted  tone.  Yet  his 
solemnity  was  all  feigned,  and  his  general  deportment  was 
light  and  frivolous,  with  a  strong  disposition  to  banter,  and 
to  indulge  in  sarcasm.  His  eccentricities,  his  impruden- 
ces, and  his  extravagant  language  alienated  many  of  his 
hearers.  Some  withdrew,  and  seventeen  formal  charges 
against  him  were  laid  before  the  church  by  Dr.  Foster 
Swift,  who  then  resided  here.  The-  hearing  was  in  public. 
Not  satisfied  with  defending  himself,  "he  carried  the  war 
into  the  enemy's  quarter" — used  weapons  not  common 
among  gentlemen,  and  notwithstanding  the  grave  formality 
of  the  charges,  succeeded  in  burlesqueing  all,  and  turned 
a  torrent  of  ridicule  on  his  accuser. 

His  salary  was  small,  and  he  complained  of  it ;  '  if  the 


JOHN   FOSTER.  131 


people  of  Taunton,'  said  he  '  do  not  raise  ray  salary,  I  will 
serve  them  a  trick  the  Devil  never  did — I  will  leave 
them,  and  the  Devil  never  did  that.' 

In  a  period  of  high  political  excitement,  when  he  ad- 
dressed the  Throne  of  Grace  at  the  opening  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  in  this  town,  in  the  presence  of  the  Court,  he 
shot  off  in  a  strain  like  this:  'As  Thou,  0  Lord,  has' t 
raised  up  the  Jacobins,  as  Thou  did'st  Pharaoh  and  his 
impious  host  for  Thy  good  purposes ;  as  Thou  has't  per- 
mitted this  great  moral  evil  to  afflict  us,  as  Thou  dost 
storms  and  tempests,  and  earthquakes,  the  blight  and  the 
mildew,  and  other  physical  evils,  we  pray  Thee,  when  Thy 
purposes  are  answered,  to  strike  them  from  the  catalogue 
of  Thy  Providence — to  put  hooks  into  their  noses,  and  to 
lead  them  far  awav  to  destruction.' 

The  disaffection  to  Mr.  Foster  at  last  became  so  gener- 
al, that  his  dismission  became  a  matter  of  necessity,  and 
he  was  accordingly  dismissed  in  1799.  He  removed  from 
Taunton  to  Stonington  hi  Connecticut,  and  was  employed 
as  a  Preacher,  and  a  teacher  of  youth.  "While  there  he 
embraced  Universalism.  He  left  Stonington,  and  went  to 
New- York,  where  he  kept  school  and  preached  occasion- 
ally. There  he  threw  off  his  religious  character  altogeth- 
er, and  became  an  open  infidel,  the  fellow-laborer  of  Elihu 
Palmer,  the  atheist.  Although  he  had  not  the  deadly 
malignity  of  Palmer,  yet  in  his  warfare  on  the  Christian 
Religion,  he  employed  weapons  full  as  efficacious  as  the 
false  logic  of  the  atheist.  His  hearers  were  a  rabble  of 
profligates,  and  he  entertained  them  with  burlesque  disser- 
tations on  the  historical  parts  of  the  Scriptures,  whose 
authenticity  he  wholly  denied.  Pahner,  Tom  Paine  and 
Foster  together,  were  too  much  for  the  city  of  New- York 


132  TIIE  MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

to  endure,  and  Foster  was  brought  into  court  under  an 
indictment  for  blasphemy.  After  that,  he  resided  some 
years  at  Athens,  on  die  Xorth  River,  opposite  Hudson, 
where  he  taught  a  school,  and  prepared  young  men  for 
College.  According  to  our  latest  information,  he  was  liv- 
ing about  a  year  since  at  Xorwich,  Ct.,  still  engaged  in 
school-keeping.  Mr.  Foster  had  several  brothers  in  the 
ministry,  who  were  all  distinguished  for  popular  talents, 
and  great  eccentricity.  "We  have  seen  one  printed  ser- 
mon of  his,  but  it  was  of  little  worth." 

Thus  wrote   Mr.   Baylies  in  1833.     It  is  remarked  by 
another:  "He  is  supposed  to  have  died  in  Xew-York  at  a 
advanced  age.'" 

His  successor  in  the  Pastoral  office  was  Rev.  Johx  Pi- 
pox.  "We  have  an  interesting  account  of  Mr.  Pipon  from 
the  pen  of  Mr.  Baylies,  an  intimate  acquaintance,  which 
is  of  course  altogether  reliable. 

"  John  Pipon,  the  successor  of  John  Foster,  was  de- 
scended from  a  family  which  emigrated  from  the  Island  of 
Jersey,  in  the  British  Channel,  and  was  a  native  of  Bos- 
ton.f  He  learned  the  trade  of  a  house-wright,  at  vrhich 
he  wrought  for  a  short  time,  and  afterwards  prepared  him- 
self for  College,  and  was  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1792. 
He  was  for  a  time  butler  of  the  University,  then  officiated 
as  a  reader  at  Christ  Church,  and  resided  for  a  time  at 
Biddeford,  in  Maine.  In  1798,  he  was  at  Cambridge, 
pursuing  his  studies  in  Theology,  and  preaching  occasion- 
ally in  different  towns.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Society 
of  Phi  Beta  Kappa,  once  its  Vice  President,  and  once  its 

*  This  statement  is  taken  from  a  statistical  notice  of  the  "  Unitarian 
Church"  prepared,  (as  the  Compiler  remarks.)  for  the  "  Taunton  Direc- 
tory of  1850."  by  the  Pastor  of  the  Church. 

t  According  to  Eev.  Mr.  Brigham.  in  the  statistical  notice,  before  re- 
ferred to.  ,:born  in  1 762.*T 


john  pipox.  133 


annual  orator.  In  1799,  he  came  to  Taunton,  where  he 
received  a  call  the  same  year,  and  was  ordained  in  Janu- 
ary, 1800.  President  Kirkland,  then  a  minister  of  Bos- 
ton, preached  the  ordination  sermon.*  The  day  on  which 
he  was  ordained  seemed  ominous  of  the  mildness  of  the 
career,  on  which  he  was  entering,  and  an  emblem  of  the 
benignity  of  his  character,  for  although  it  was  in  January, 
it  was  the  finest  winter  day,  that  was  ever  experienced  in 
New-England. 

His  attention  to  his  parochial  duties  was  incessant  and 
unremitting.  Although  his  visits  to  his  parishioners  were 
frequent,  yet  he  never  entered  into  their  affairs  with  the 
ofnciousness  of  a  meddler,  but  with  the  cordiality  of  a 
friend,  and  the  interest  of  a  father.  He  enjoyed  the  fes- 
tivities with  all  the  glee  and  gladness  of  a  child ;  and  in 
those  dark  spots,  where  sorrow  wept  and  refused  to  be 
comforted,  the  consolations  of  this  good  man,  administered 
with  the  tenderest  sympathy,  came  like  sunbeams  through 
the  gloom.  Guile  and  enyy  had  no  place  in  his  heart.  The 
increasing  thrift  and  comforts  of  his  neighbors  were  to 
him  a  source  of  constant  gratification.  In  this  he  was  not 
disinterested,  for  the  happiness  of  others  increased  his 
own.  He  would  have  banished  want  and  woe  and  suffer- 
ing from  the  whole  human  race. 

"When  the  orthodox  minister  of  Sandwich,  harassed  with 
perplexing  and  acrimonious  lawsuits,  was  in  attendance  on 
the  courts  sitting  here,  our  '  good  Samaritan'  like  him  of 

*  I  have  a  copy  of  this  sermon  in  my  possession.  It  was  preached 
"the  \5th  of  Jan*  1800.  by  John  Thornton  Kirkland,  minister  of  the 
New  South  Church,  Boston."  Text,  1  Cor.  16:  10.,  uXow  if  Timothe- 
us  come,  see  that  he  may  be  with  you,  without  fear:  for  he  worketh  the 
work  of  the  Lord."  The  Discourse  is  well  written,  and  breathes  a  good 
spirit.  To  it  are  appended  the  Charge  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark  of  Lex- 
ington, and  the  Eight  Hand  of  Fellowship,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark  of 
Norton. 

12 


134  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

old,  did  not  'pass  by  on  the  other  side,'  but  attended  him 
with  the  deepest  solicitude  for  his  welfare.  His  hospital- 
ity was  not  ceremonious.  He  took  his  clerical  brother  to 
his  home  and  to  his  heart.  'Brother  Burr,'  said  he,  'is 
in  affliction,  and  it  is  my  duty  to  comfort  him.' 

When  solicited  for  relief  or  charity,  he  never  shared 
the  contents  of  his  purse  with  the  applicant,  but  if  he  had 
any  thing,  he  gave  the  whole* 

After  some  severe  taunts,  and  rebukes  from  the  late 
Prof.  Pearson,  he  expressed  no  resentment,  but  great 
commiseration,  because  the  Professor  was  afflicted  with  a 
bad  temper. 

On  another  occasion,  a  person  repeated  to  him  some  se- 
vere remarks  upon  his  ministerial  character,  by  a  young 
clergyman  of  the  vicinity :  'oh,'  said  Mr.  P.  in  his  pecu- 
liarly mild  tone,  '  brother is  only  a  colt  yet.' 

His  general  benevolence  lost  none  of  its  strength  by 
diffusion.  He  loved  the  whole  human  race,  but  he  could 
concentrate  his  affections  on  individuals.  "While  he  loved 
some  well,  he  loved  others  better.  The  good  he  reverenc- 
ed, the  bad  he  pitied.     Like  Henry  Goldsmith, 

*  The  generous  impulse  of  Mr.  Pipon  is  remembered  with  admira- 
tion, by  all  who  knew  bim.  On  a  recent  visit  to  Easton,  the  excellent 
lady  of  Rev.  Mr.  Sheldon  related  an  incident  in  the  life  of  the  Taunton 
minister  which  much  interested  me.  He  was  there  on  some  religious 
occasion,  when  a  very  destitute  child  called  at  the  door  for  charity. 
Pew  visitors,  in  a  strange  place,  would  have  been  attracted  by  such  a 
case.  But  Mr.  Pipon  had  learned  of  the  "man  of  Uz."'  and  the  cause 
which  he  knew  not,  he  "searched  out."  He  called  the  boy  in,  inquired 
into  his  condition,  formed  the  plan  at  once  of  taking  him  upon  his  horse, 
on  his  return  to  Taunton,  and  securing  for  him  a  home  amongst  some 
of  his  friends.  He  was  however  dissuaded  from  carrying  out  his  plan  ; 
and  Mrs.  S.  said,  she  had  often  thought,  what  a  singular  figure  Mr.  Pi- 
pon would  have  made,  riding  into  town,  with  that  ragged  boy  at  his 
back.  I  could  wish  that  the  humane  purpose  of  the  noble  hearted  Pi- 
pon had  prevailed ;  and  who  can  tell  what  a  bright  future  might  have 
opened  up  before  the  lad,  who,  like  many  others,  was  perhaps  left  to 
himself — to  lie  down  in  rags  and  ruin. 


jonN  pipon.  135 


'  He  quite  forgot  their  vices  in  their  woes, 

:  Careless  their  merits  or  their  faults  to  scan, 

'His  pity  gave,  ere  charity  began. 

'  Thus  to  relieve  the  wretched  was  his  pride, 

1  And  e'en  his  feelings  lean'd  to  virtue's  side; 

'But  in  his  duty  prompt  at  every  call, 

'  He  watch' d,  and  wept,  he  pray'd  and  felt  for  all.' 

No  monk  was  ever  more  devoted  to  the  interest  of  his 
order,  than  he  was  to  the  interests  of  Harvard  College. 
He  delighted  to  call  up  all  the  reminiscences  connected 
with  its  history  —  to  look  into  the  dusky  recesses  of  the 
past  —  to  rejoice  in  the  present,  and  to  exult  in  the  pros- 
pects of  the  future.  To  him,  Cambridge  was  Rome,  and 
President  Kirkland  the  Pope,  and  he  almost  believed  in 
his  infallibility.  He  reverenced  the  ancient  fathers  of  the 
New-England  Churches,  the  Wilsons,  the  Cottons,  the 
Mathers,  the  Chaunceys,  and  the  Mayhews  of  former  days. 

Within  his  own  sphere  of  influence,  he  endeavored  with 
all  his  soul,  and  with  all  his  strength,  to  promote  the  inter- 
ests of  education,  to  improve  the  course  of  discipline  and 
instruction  in  the  schools,  and  to  elevate  the  character  of 
our  Academy. 

In  genuine  simplicity  of  character,  he  was  unrivalled  ; 
even  the  imaginary  Yicar  of  Wakefield  was  no  peer  to  the 
Taunton  minister.  It  was  estimated  that  he  had  lost  more 
than  one  thousand  dollars  in  the  exchange  of  ordinary 
horses.  His  credulity  was  incurable,  and  his  good  nature, 
though  often  imposed  upon,  was  rarely  overcome.  Some- 
times, however,  he  found  vexation  in  his  path,  and  his 
equanimity  was  not  proof  against  the  teasing  irritations  of 
petty  troubles.     On  one  occasion,  trying  to  his  patience, 

he  '  wished  that  Gen. was  present  to  swear  for  him,' 

but  correcting  himself  instantly,  '  I  don't  mean  profanely,* 
said  he. 


136  THE   MINISTRY    OF   TAUNTON. 

When  in  a  hurry  to  be  shaved,  that  he  might  seasonably 
attend  an  ordination,  and  vexed  by  the  interminable  stories 
of  Tim.  Ingraham,  the  barber ;  '  Timothy,'  said  the  Par- 
son, '  why  don't  you  get  a  parrot,  and  hang  him  up  in  your 
shop ;  the  parrot  could  talk  to  your  customers,  whilst  you 
shaved  them.' 

His  social  qualities  were  of  a  high  order,  and  his  social 
affections  highly  cultivated.  He  delighted  to  witness  the 
liveliness  and  cheerfulness  of  his  friends.  He  delighted 
to  sit  at  the  festive  board.  He  delighted  in  Commence- 
ment, Phi  Beta  Kappa,  Ordination,  Association,  Court, 
Academy,  and  Fourth  of  July  dinners,  for  then  it  was 
that  a  part  at  least  of  the  human  race  were  enjoying  the 
bounties  of  God's  Providence  with  lively  hearts.  In  these 
genial  moments,  he  was  exceedingly  interesting,  and  his 
conversation  was  enlivened  with  humorous  and  original 
remarks.  The  late  lamented  Buckminster,  and  President 
Kirkland  desired  no  better  companion  than  the  country 
minister.  All  men  of  wit  and  humor  loved  his  society* 
The  late  Mr.  Sproat,  Mr.  Tillinghast,  and  Mr.  Holmes  of 
Rochester,  found  him  no  ordinary  competitor  in  the  war- 
fare of  wit.  His  humor,  though  quaint,  was  neither 
coarse,  nor  offensive.  He  had  a  strong  sense  of  the  ridic- 
ulous, and  a  strong  relish  for  every  species  of  originality. 

Speaking  of  some  bombastic  Fourth  of  July  oration, 
he  said,  '  he  should  be  afraid  to  cross  a  ferry  within  hear- 
ing distance  of  the  speaker,  lest  his  hard  words  should 
knock  him  overboard.' 

He  hinted  pleasantly  to  Mr.  B ,  that  he  did  not  at- 
tend public  worship  so  often  as  he  ought.  '  Why,'  said 
Mr.  B.,  'I  take  cold  in  the  meeting-house,  and  you  know 
that  a  cold  is  a  severe  thing  with  me.'     'Yes,'  said  he, 


JOHN   PIPON.  137 


'  I  know  that  it  is  uncomfortable  to  sit  in  a  meeting-house, 
without  a  stove,  in  cold  weather,  but  in  summer  you  surely 
might  do  it  without  exposure.'  *  But,'  said  Mr.  B.,  <  what 
you  get  out  of  me,  Parson,  is  clear  gain ;  I  am  not  of  your 
sect.'  '  Indeed,'  said  the  Parson,  '  and  pray,  of  what  sect 
are  you?'  i  By  hereditary  descent,'  said  Mr.  B.,  '  I  am 
an  Episcopalian.'  '  Now,  Francis,'  said  the  Parson,  '  you 
always  wear  a  fashionable  coat,  why  will  you  throw  it  off, 
and  put  on  one  that  is  out  of  fashion  ?' 

A  short  time  previous  to  delivering  his  oration  before 
the  Phi  Beta  Kappa,  passing  Julien's  in  Boston,  he  looked 
at  the  sign,  <  Restorator.'  'Good!'  said  he  —  'Rest 
Orator.     I'll  go  in.' 

Some  one  advised  him  to  marry.  '  No,'  says  he,  *  my 
salary  can't  carry  double.' 

His  sermons  were  sound,  and  never  doctrinal.  The 
topics  of  dispute  which  divided  the  religious  community 
were  carefully  avoided,  and  no  offence  given  to  tender 
consciences.  His  delivery  and  voice  were  bad.  There 
was  no  exciting  power  in  his  elocution,  and  he  was  seldom 
animated.  His  simplicity  sometimes  bordered  on  the  lu- 
dicrous. Once,  after  a  long  series  of  excellent  and  pious 
remarks,  he  closed  by  observing:  '  All  these  truths  you 
will  find  in  your  Bibles.  When  you  go  home,  look.  Now, 
do!' 

In  prayer  he  was  affecting  and  pathetic.  He  poured 
forth  the  ardent  emotions — the  deep  devotion  of  his  soul, 
in  language  which  sometimes  approached  the  Oriental  sim- 
plicity of  the  Scriptures.  The  passages  which  he  quoted 
from  the  Holy  Writings  were  strikingly  appropriate.  His 
words  came  forth  with  a  glow,  a  fervor  and  a  freshness, 
which  indicated  a  disposition  to  love  the  human  race,  and 
12* 


138  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUXTOX. 

to  reverence  the  Great  Being  whom  he  addressed.  He 
entreated  Him  as  a  father  to  pardon  and  to  spare  his  err- 
ing children.  Strangers  delighted  with  the  eloquence  of 
his  prayers,  were  generally  disappointed.  His  sermons 
did  not  answer  the  expectations,  which  his  prayers  had 
raised,  as  they  were  generally  dull  and  uninteresting. 

His  useful  and  quiet  life  was  quietly  terminated.  After 
preaching  on  the  Sabbath  he  retired  to  his  bed  in  the  eve- 
ning, apparently  in  good  health.  About  midnight,  he 
died,  after  a  labor  in  the  ministry  of  twenty-one  years. 
He  was  subject  to  the  Angina  Pectoris,  and  it  is  supposed, 
that  a  sudden  attack  of  that  disease  took  him  from  a  world 
which  he  loved,  to  one  which  he  loved  better. 

His  death  occurred  in  the  month  of  January,  1821. 
His  remains  repose  among  his  people.*  His  age,  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  was  upwards  of  sixty.  He  was  never 
married. f  Xothing  of  his  has  issued  from  the  press 
(which  we  have  seen)  excepting  a  Charge  delivered  at  an 
ordination  in  New-Bedford." 

Mr.  Pipon  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Luther  Hamilton. 

"He  was  born  in  Conway,  in  1798,  was  graduated  at 
Williams  College  in  1817,  was  ordained  in  Taunton  in 
1821,  and  resigned  in  1832."  The  above  facts  were 
communicated  through  the  "  Taunton  Directory  of  1850," 

*  Mr.  Pipon  was  interred  in  the  tomb  of  John  West,  Esq.,  at  the 
"  Plain."  from  which  he  has  never  been  removed.  Would  it  not  be  well, 
if  the  many,  -who  remember  him  should  honor  his  memory  by  the  trans- 
fer of  bis  remains  to  "Mount  Pleasant  Cemetery."  and  the  erection  of 
a  suitable  monument? 

t  Although  unmarried,  Mr.  Pipon  purchased  the  house  and  adjoin- 
ing grounds  owned  and  occupied  by  his  predecessor.  John  Foster.  They 
are  pleasantly  situated  on  High  Street,  bordering  also  on  Mill  river,  and 
a  narrow  street  leading  from  High  Street  to  Weir  Street.  The  proper- 
ty has  passed  successively  into  the  hands,  first  of  Dea.  William  Reed, 
of  Taunton,  next  of  Theophilus  Parsons,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  and  lastly  of 
William  Baylies,  Esq.,  of  Bridgcwater.  The  "old  Parsonage"  has 
given  place  to  a  beautiful  structure  occupied  by  A.  E.  Swasey,  Esq. 


ANDREW   BIGELOW,    D.    D.  139 

by  Rev.  Mr.  Brigham,  a  successor  in  the  ministry.  Mr. 
Hamilton  has  been  variously  employed,  since  his  dismis- 
sion. He  has  more  recently  held  a  place  in  the  Custom 
House,  Boston,  in  the  vicinity  of  which  city  he  resides. 
Mr.  Baylies  states  that  "  Luther  is  a  son  of  Dr.  Hamilton, 
formerly  of  Greenfield,  and  that  he  married  a  daughter  of 
Dr.  Williams  of  Deerfield.  His  printed  productions  are : 
an  Address  delivered  before  King  David's  Lodge,  in 
Taunton,  June,  1825.  "  Reasons  for  the  Unitarian  Be- 
lief," a  series  of  Lectures  published  in  1830.  "  A  ser- 
mon preached  at  the  Dedication  of  the  Church*  of  the 
First  Congregational  Society,  in  Taunton,  November, 
1830." 

Rev.  Andrew  Bigelow,  d.  d.,  succeeded  Mr.  Hamil- 
ton in  the  Pastoral  charge  of  this  society.  He  vras  born 
in  Groton,  Middlesex  County,  Massachusetts,  in  1795. 
"  His  father,  the  Hon.  Timothy  Bigelow,  an  eminent  law- 
yer and  statesman,  was  the  son  of  Col.  Timothy  Bigelow, 
of  the  Revolutionary  army,  who  went  with  Arnold  to  Que- 
bec, and  afterwards  commanded  the  16th  Regiment.  His 
mother  was  a  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Oliver  Prescott,  the 
brother  of  Col.  "William  Prescott,  the  hero  of  Bunker  Hill 
—  an  eminent  Physician,  a  distinguished  patriot  of  the 
Revolution,  a  Brigadier  General  in  active  command  at  its 
commencement,  and  a  member  of  the  Executive  Revolu- 
tionary Council  of  the  Commonwealth."! 

Mr.  Bigelow  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1814,  and  was 
once  settled  at  Medford,  as  the  successor  of  Rev.  Dr. 
Osgood.  He  was  installed  in  Taunton,  April,  1833,  re- 
signed his  charge  in  1842,  and  for  the  most  part,  since 

*  The  elegant  Stone  Church,  which  the  Society  now  occupy  near  the 
Town  Hall, 
t  F.  Baylies,  in  the  Tri- Weekly  Gazette  of  1833. 


140  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

that  time,  has  officiated  as  minister  at  large  in  Boston. 
Mr.  Bigelow  is  brother-in-law  of  Hon.  Abbott  Lawrence, 
distinguished  as  a  leading  manufacturer  and  merchant  of 
that  city,  and  more  recently,  as  Minister  of  this  country 
to  England. 

Mr.  Bigelow  has  travelled  much,  and  in  1821,  publish- 
ed "  Leaves  from  a  Journal  in  North-Britain  and  Ireland ;" 
in  1831,  "  Travels  in  Malta  and  Sicily,  with  Sketches  of 
Gibraltar  in  1827."  Beside  these  volumes,  he  has  com- 
mitted to  the  press,  a  "  Sermon  at  the  Dedication  of  the 
First  Congregational  Meeting-house  in  East-port,  Maine, 
in  1820;"  a  "farewell  sermon"  preached  at  the  same 
place  in  1821 ;  a  "  memoir  of  Gov.  Brooks,"  published  in 
the  Christian  Examiner,  in  1825 ;  two  sermons  preached 
in  Chelsea,  in  1827;  a  sermon  on  the  u  Signs  of  the 
times,"  preached  in  Reading,  in  1828  ;  a  sermon  on  "  Pas- 
toral responsibility,"  preached  in  Washington,  D.  C,  in 
1828  ;  a  sermon  on  "  Paul  at  Athens,"  first  printed  in  the 
"Liberal  Preacher"  in  1829;  a  "Communion  Lecture" 
at  Framingham,  in  1830  ;  a  sermon  on  "  Christian  Liber- 
ty," at  Derry,  N.  H.,  in  1832;  a  sermon  preached  in 
Norton,  at  the  interment  of  Rev.  Pitt  Clarke,  February 
15th,  1835.  There  may  have  been  still  other  publications 
which  have  escaped  our  notice. 

Rev.  Charles  H.  Brigham  is  the  present  Pastor  of 
this  society.  He  was  born  in  Boston  in  1820,  was  grad- 
uated at  Harvard  in  1839,  and  ordained  in  Taunton, 
March  27th,  1844.  The  number  of  families  belonging  to 
his  society  in  1850,  was  one  himdred  and  eighty-two. 

The  next  religious  organization  in  town,  to  be  noticed, 
if  we  follow  the  order  of  time,  is 


SIX   PRINCIPLE   BAPTIST   CHURCH.  141 

The  Sir  Principle  Baptist   Church. 

It  was  organized  in  Rehoboth,  April  4,  1789.  Its  first 
Pastors  were  Rev.  Aaron  Wheeler,  and  Rev.  Sylvester 
Round,  who  were  ordained  Elders,  April  20,  1T89.  It 
was  at  this  time  denominated  the  "  North  Rehoboth 
Church."  Elder  "Wheeler  is  pronounced  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Horton,  who  has  furnished  me  with  these  facts,  "  a  man  of 
good  parts,  and  a  sound,  able  and  pious  minister."  He 
died  March  19,  1800,  in  the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his 
age.  "  Elder  Round  continued  to  preside  over  and  feed 
the  flock  for  many  years.  He  was  a  very  gifted,  eloquent 
preacher,  and  faithfully  labored  with  this  church  until  his 
death,  Oct.  26,  1824,  in  the  sixty-fourth  year  of  his  age. 

This  church  were  then  destitute  of  a  Pastor,  and  only 
occasionally  supplied  from  abroad.  The  result  was,  that 
the  church  became  weak  and  scattered  ;  a  Methodist  church 
was  gathered  on  the  same  ground,  and  some  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  united  with  them.  The  remainder,  only  about 
twelve  or  thirteen,  commenced  holding  their  meetings  in  a 
school-house  in  the  west  part  of  Taunton,  and  were  sup- 
plied from  abroad.  This  was  the  condition  of  things  until 
1840,  when  Josephus  W.  Horton,  a  young  man  from  Re- 
hoboth, came  among  them  and  commenced  preaching. 
The  church  called  for  his  ordination ;  and  he  was  ordained 
the  Thursday  preceding  the  second  Sabbath  in  October. 
This  church  has  since  built  them  a  small  Meeting-house, 
which  is  well  filled  on  the  Sabbath.  Its  present  number 
of  members  is  thirty-eight." 

Since  the  above  narrative  was  prepared,  Mr.  Horton 
has  relinquished  his  charge  of  the  people,  connected  him- 
self with  another  denomination,  and  is  at  present  laboring 


142  THE  MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

as  a  Calvinist  Baptist  Preacher  in  another  part  of  the 
State.     His  place  is  not  yet  supplied. 

The  Taunton  Green  Baptist  Church*  (Calvinistic) 

was  organized!  June  16,  1819. 

Rev.  Silas  Hall,  its  first  Pastor,  a  native  of  Raynham, 
graduated  at  Brown  University,  in  1809,  was  settled  in 
November,  1826,  and  resigned  March  6,  1830. 

Rev.  B.  C.  Grafton,  second  Pastor,  a  native  of  Provi- 
dence, R.  L,  graduated  at  Waterville,  was  settled  June  7, 
1831,  and  resigned  May  26,  1834. 

Rev.  W.  G.  Trask,J  third  Pastor,  educated  at  Newton, 
was  settled  June,  1834,  and  died  July,  1836. 

Rev.  Henry  Clark,  fourth  Pastor,  graduated  at  Brown 
University,  was  settled  December  29,  1836,  and  resigned 
June  16, 1839. 

Rev.  J.  F.  Burbank,  fifth  Pastor,  a  native  of  Portland, 

*  I  requested  Rev.  Mr.  Pollard  to  furnish  me  with  a  more  extended 
notice  of  this  church,  but  he  remarked  that  such  was  the  condition  of 
the  early  Records  as  to  render  it  impracticable.  This  church  was  call- 
ed, at  its  organization,  the  second  Baptist  Church,  with  reference  to  an 
earlier  one  at  the  north  part  of  the  town.  Its  social  meetings,  prior  to 
the  settlement  of  a  Pastor,  were  held  in  a  Hall,  on  Main  Street,  and 
were  of  a  most  interesting  character. 

t  The  original  members  of  the  church  were  the  following:  William 
Stall,  James  Olney,  Elias  Parry,  Thomas  C.  Brown,  Abiathar  Phillips, 
Abiathar  Hall,  Mary  Johnson, *Phebe  Godfrey,  Rhoda  Godfrey,  Nancy 
Stall,  Mary  Stall,  Content  Smith,  Betsey  Olney,  Susan  Leonard,  Han- 
nah Leonard,  Margaret  Leonard. 

X  Mr.  Trash's  ministry  was  short.  The  consumption  soon  closed  his 
labors,  and  terminated  a  life  on  earth  which  promised  abundant  useful- 
ness. It  was  the  prediction  of  Doctor  Sharp,  to  whose  church  Mr.  T. 
belonged,  and  who  preached  his  ordination  sermon,  that  his  people 
would  not  have  him  long.  In  a  little  more  than  two  years,  the  Doctor 
preached  his  youthful  brother's  funeral  sermon.  He  died,  as  Deacon 
Woodward,  who  knew  and  loved  him  well,  expressed  it.  :,in  the  triumphs 
of  faith."  He  was  an  uncommonly  good  man.  All  denominations  of 
Christians  respected  and  highly  esteemed  him.  He  was  very  dear  to 
the  people  of  his  Pastoral  charge.  He  was  buried  in  Lincoln,  in  this 
State,  where  he  died  at  the  house  of  his  father-in-law. 


TRINITARIAN   CONGREGATIONAL   CHURCH.  143 

Maine,  graduated  at  Waterville  in  1887,  was  settled  Feb- 
ruary 3,  1841,  and  resigned  November  13,  1841. 

Rev.  J.  F.  Wilcox,  sixth  Pastor,  a  native  of  Westmins- 
ter Vt.,  in  1806,  educated  in  Newton,  was  settled  De- 
cember 12,  1842,  and  resigned  November  25,  1848. 

Rev.  Andrew  Pollard,  the  present  Pastor,  was  settled 
September  1,  1849. 

The  Trinitarian   Congregational  Church 

was  organized*  August  17, 1821,  consisting  of  twenty-nine 
members,  of  whom  ten  yet  survive.  The  only  surviving 
original  male  members  are  Philander  W.  Dean,f  and  Sam- 
uel Godfrey. 

Rev.  Chester  Isham,  the  first  Pastor  of  the  church, 
was  born  in  West  Hartford,  Ct.,  in  1798,  graduated  at 

*  Mr.  Maltby,  in  a  note  to  his  "  Quarter  Century  Sermon,"  ascribes 
this  organization  to  the  fact,  that  after  Mr.  Pipon's  dismission,  Rev.  Lu- 
ther Hamilton  was  introduced  to  the  Congregational  Society  as  a  can- 
didate, who  avowed  opinions  objectionable  to  some  of  the  church.  The 
folloAving  were  the  members  of  the  church  at  its  organization:  Dea. 
Jeremiah  Sumner,  Mary  B.  Bush,  Lydia  Carver,  Olive  Carver,  Betsey 
Crossman,  Prudence  Crossman,  Philander  W.  Dean,  Rebecca  Dean, 
Hannah  Dean,  Charlotte  J.  L.  Godfrey,  Samuel  Godfrey,  Susanna  Hall, 
Mercy  Holmes,  Sarah  P.  Howland,  Zipporah  King,*  Eliza  Leonard, 
Charlotte  Morton,  Otis  Pierce,  Dorcas  Potter.  Sarah  H.  Shepard.  Mary 
Smitb,  Priscilla  P.  Smith,  Relief  H.  Smith,  Beulah  Stephens,  Hannah 
Staples,  Joanna  Sumner,  Mary  Williams.  Luci'da  Williams,  Susannah 
Williams.  This  church  commenced  public  worship  at  the  Town  Hall; 
removed  thence  to  the  Court  House,  where  they  remained  till  the  spring 
of  1833,  when  their  meeting-house,  in  the  vicinity  of  "  the  Green,"  was 
dedicated,  Doctor  Burgess  of  Dedham,  preaching  the  sermon.  This 
original  structure  has  just  given  place  to  a  new  and  costly  edifice  of 
stone,  the  whole  length  of  which,  including  the  pulpit  recess,  is  one 
hundred  and  twenty  feet,  and  its  width  sixty-five  feet. 

t  I  have  been  informed  by  G.  B.  Atwood,  Esq.,  that  the  first  Tem- 
perance Society  in  town  was  organized  soon  after  the  formation  of  this 
church.  It  was  during  a  temporary  supply  of  the  pulpit  by  Rev.  E.  C. 
Bridgman,  who  has  been  for  many  years  connected  with  the  mission  to 
China.  Mr.  Bridgman  was  the  President  of  the  Society.  The  organi- 
zation took  place  in  the  Sabbath  School,  and  Mr.  P.  W/Dean,  Superin- 
tendent of  the  school,  was  the  first  individual  who  signed  the  constitu- 
tion and  took  the  pledge.    (See  page  394,  vol.  1.) 


144  THE  MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

Yale  College  in  1820,  was  settled  in  Taunton,  February 
18,  1824,  and  died  the  day  after  his  return  from  a  winter 
residence  in  a  southern  climate  for  the  recovery  of  his 
health,  April  20,  1825,  aged  twenty-seven.  Rarely  has 
a  minister  excited  higher  hopes  of  usefulness  and  eminence 
than  did  Mr.  Isham.*  He  was  a  class-mate,  room-mate 
and  intimate  friend  of  Rev.  Leonard  Bacon,  of  New-Ha- 
ven, in  their  preparatory  course  at  New-Haven  and  Ando- 
ver;  and  from  the  pen  of  this  endeared  and  afflicted 
associate  in  study,  proceeded  soon  after  a  faithful  notice, 
which  was  published  in  the  "  Christian  Spectator,"  follow- 
ed by  a  sermon  from  the  lamented  subject  of  the  sketch, 
founded  on  the  text  in  Prov.  11:  7,  "When  a  wicked 
man  dieth,  his  expectations  shall  perish." 

It  was  the  strong  desire  of  Mr.  Isham,  when  sick  on 
ship-board,  that  he  might  live  to  reach  Taunton,  and  be 
"buried,"  as  he  expressed  it,  "in  the  midst  of  his  dear 
people."  This  latter  wish  of  the  dying  Pastor  was  grati- 
fied. Whoever  visits  the  field  of  the  dead  on  the  "  Plain," 
may  there  read  the  following  Inscription : 

*  A  case  analagous  to  that  of  Mr.  Isham  has  more  recently  occurred, 
when  the  youthful  Homer  fell  a  victim  to  pastoral  care  and  labor  on  the 
very  threshold  of  his  ministerial  life.  Prof.  B.  B.  Edwards  who 
preached  on  the  occasion  of  Homer's  burial  once  remarked  to  me  that 
he  never  saw  such  an  afflicted  assembly  as  was  gathered  at  South  Ber- 
wick that  day.  When  the  news  reached  Taunton  that  the  beloved  Ish- 
am had  expired  at  the  house  of  Doctor  Wisner,  where  he  had  been 
cherished  with  the  tenderest  care,  the  few  hours  he  was  permitted  to 
live,  after  coming  on  shore,  the  children  of  the  town,  as  they  heard  the 
sound  of  the  tolling  bell,  understood  its  meaning,  and  wept  with  no 
common  grief  for  the  loss  of  a  man  they  loved.  I  have  heard  one,  who 
was  then  a  mere  child  say,  that  she  was  standing  alone  in  a  retired  part 
of  her  father's  garden  at  the  time,  and  the  impression  the  first  stroke  of 
that  bell  made  upon  her  mind  was  never  lost.  It  appeared  to  her  young 
heart,  as  if  the  grave  was  about  to  close  over  every  friend,  and  bury  all 
her  hopes. 


TRINITARIAN   CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH.  145 

"The  Reverend 

Chester  Isham, 

born  at  Hartford,  Conn.,  March  29,  1798, 

was  ordained  first  Pastor  of  the  Trinitarian  Cong.  Society 

in  this  place,  Feb.  18,  1824. 
In  the  October  following,  his   declining  health  compelled 
him  to  embark  for  Cuba,  whence  he  returned  to  Boston, 
just  in  time  to  meet  his  wife  and  babe, 
and  to  fall  asleep,  April  20,  1825. 
Devout  men  carried  him  to  his  burial,  and  made 
great  lamentation  over  him. 
For  in  his  death,  bright  hopes,  (alas!  how  many!) 
were  extinguished. 
He  was  laid  in  this  place,  that  he  might 
rest,  with  the  people  of  his  love  around  him. 
Those  who  knew  him,  need  no  memorial  of  his  worth, 
But,  for  those  who  knew  him  not, 
this  stone  has  been  erected 
by  the  females  of  his  flock." 
Rev.  Erastus  Maltby,  successor  of  Mr.  Isham,  and 
second  Pastor  of  the  church,  was  born  in  Northford,  Ct., 
graduated  at  Yale  College,  in  1821,  pursued  his  Theologi- 
cal course  at  Andover,  was  settled  January  18, 1826,  and 
still  dwells  among   "  his  own  people."      He   last  year 
preached  his  "  Quarter  Century  Sermon,"  which,  by  re- 
quest of  the  church,  was  published.     He  also  preached  a 
sermon  before  the  "  Pastoral  Association "  a  few  years 
since,  which  was  printed.     From  the  first  named  sermon 
we  derive  the  following  facts  :  "  In  1826,  between  seventy 
and  eighty  persons  united  with  the  church  by  profession. 
In  1828-29,  were  indications  of  spiritual  blessings.  Twen- 
ty made  a  profession  of  religion.     In  1881,  there  were 
13 


140  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

between  sixty  and  seventy  additions.  In  1834,  fifty-seven. 
In  1836,  thirty-seven.  In  1839,  seventeen.  In  1842, 
twenty-seven.  In  1843,  nineteen.  In  1845,  twenty-two. 
In  1848,  fourteen,  and  in  1850,  sixty-nine.  During  the 
"quarter  of  a  century"  reviewed,  there  had  been  five 
hundred  and  seventy-four  additions ;  three  hundred  and 
ninety-five,  by  profession  ;  one  hundred  and  seventy-nine 
by  recommendation.  Of  these,  two  hundred  and  ninety- 
one  had  been  removed  by  death  and  other  causes." 

The  Free-Will  Baptist  Church.     North  Taunton, 

This  church  was  organized,  (according  to  a  statement 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Batcheler,  its  present  minister,)  June  13, 
1822.  The  Calvinistic  portion  of  the  church  which  was 
organized  fifty  years  before,  removed  to  Norton. 

"It  consisted  at  its  organization  of  ten  members.  Mr. 
Henry  Harvey  was  at  that  time  chosen  Deacon,  and  Elder 
Reuben  Allen  their  first  Pastor. 

Elder  J.  S.  Morey  was  ordained  Pastor  Aug.  23, 1832. 

April  7,  1838,  Elder  Folsome  received  and  accepted  a 
call  to  become  Pastor  of  the  church. 

Elder  Folsome  discontinued  his  labors  in  1840,  and  the 
pulpit  was  supplied  for  about  six  months,  by  Elder  Fletch- 
er, a  Methodist. 

In  the  early  part  of  1841,  Elder  Thomas  C.  Brown  waa 
chosen  Pastor  of  the  church,  and  continued  his  work  with 
them  until  April,  1845. 

Various  ministers  supplied  the  pulpit  the  remainder  of 
the  year,  when  the  present  Pastor,  Elder  T.  H.  Batcheler, 
took  charge  of  the  church.  The  church  has  passed  through 
seasons  of  prosperity  and  of  adversity  since  its  organiza- 
tion, and  now  numbers  about  eighty  members." 


UNIVERSALIST   CHURCH.  147 

The   Universalist  Church. 

A  historical  sketch  of  this  society  was  appended  to  a 
Farewell  sermon  of  Rev.  Mr.  Quinby,  preached  to  his 
people  in  1851.  He  expresses  the  belief,  that  "the  seeds 
of  Universalism  were  sown  in  the  minds  of  some  few  of 
the  inhabitants  of  this  town  by  the  venerable  Murray,* 
more  than  sixty  years  ago."  He  preached  in  Taunton 
several  times.  "  In  1825-26,  Rev.  Mr.  Carrique,  who 
was  then  settled  in  Attleboro',  came  to  Taunton  and 
preached  several  times.  The  people  were  also  visited  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Pickering,  Rev.  Mr.  Ballou,  Rev.  Mr.  Whitte- 
more  and  others  between  1826  and  1830,  who  preached 
in  the  old  Town  Hall,  where  they  gathered  quite  a  large 
congregation.  As  early  as  February  1825,  the  following 
persons  obtained  an  Act  for  the  Incorporation  of  a  reli- 
gious society,  viz :  Alfred  Baylies,  Miles  Stoddard,  Wil- 
liam W.  Crossman,  Charles  Foster,  John  Smith,  Isaac 
Babbitt,  Samuel  Caswell,  Jr.,  Leonard  Crossman,  William 
N.  Spinney,  James  Thurber,  John  Baylies,  Alexander 
Black,  Caleb  B.  Porter,  Walter  H.  Atwood,  Daniel  H. 
Traft,  Abijah  L.  Eddy,  Caleb  Churchill,  Joseph  Hood, 
William  Presbrey,  3d.,  Luther  Chase,  Nathan  King,  Jr., 
Martin  Churchill.  The  first  settled  minister  was  Rev. 
John  B.  Dods,  who  remained  with  the  society  from  1831 
to  1835.  He  organized  a  church  of  thirty  members  in 
1832.  After  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Dods,  there  were  no 
stated  meetings  of  the  society  till  1839,  when  there  was  a 
reorganization,  and  Rev.  William  Fishbough,  the  second 
minister,  settled  the  following  year,  (1840,)  who  resigned 

*  A  writer  in  the  American  Whig,  a  newspaper  pubished  in  Taunton, 
under  the  signature  of*  reviewing  the  Discourse  of  Mr.  Quinby,  thinks 
that  Mr.  John  Foster  also  prepared  the  way  for  this  form  of  religious 
belief,  as  he  was  doubtless  a  Universalist. 


148  THE   MINISTRY    OF   TAUNTON. 

in  184-4.  Rev.  W.  R.  G.  Mellon,  the  third  Pastor,  was 
called  to  the  charge  of  the  society  in  1844,  and  asked  for 
his  dismission  in  1845.  Rev.  George  W.  Quinby  of 
Saco,  Me.,  took  charge  of  the  society  in  October,  1846, 
and  left  for  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  November,  1851.  Rev. 
J.  S.  Brown  has  recently  been  called  to  fill  his  place. 

The  society  first  occupied  the  meeting-house  vacated  by 
the  Congregational  Society.  (Unitarian.)  in  1830  ;  their 
present  place  of  worship  is  at  the  corner  of  High  Street 
and  Spring  Street. 

TJie  Methodist  Episcopal   Church.      Weir  Village, 

This  church  was  organized  at  the  Weir,  in  1830.  Its 
system  of  itinerancy  has  introduced  a  variety  of  ministers 
since  that  time.  Their  names  have  been  as  follows  :  Rev. 
Amos  Bmney.  Rev.  David  Culver,  Rev.  Warren  Emer- 
son, Rev.  John  D.  Baldwin,  Rev.  Caleb  D.  Rogers,  Rev. 
Samuel  W.  Coggshall,  Rev.  Charles  S.  Macreading,  Rev. 
Rufus  Spauidmg,  Rev.  Mosely  Dwight,  Rev.  E.  B.  Brad- 
ford, Rev.  Lewis  Bates,  Rev.  Wareham  S.  Campbell,  Rev. 
James  D.  Butler.  Rev.  Daniel  Fillmore,  Rev.  J.  0.  Park- 
inson, Rev.  William  Livesey,  Rev.  Paul  Townsend,  and 
Rev.  Samuel  C.  Brown. 

Their  meeting-house  on  Weir  Street,  was  enlarged  a 
few  years  since,  to  accommodate  the  increasing  congrega- 
tion. 

The  Protestant,  or  Reformed  Jfeth<>dist  Church.     South 
Taunton. 

This  branch  of  the  Methodist  Church  was  organized  in 
1830,  consisting  of  fifteen  members.  Their  meeting-house 
is  several  miles  from  "  the  Green,"  and  was  built  in  1832. 


ROMAN   CATHOLIC    AND   SPRING   ST.    CHURCHES.     149 

They  have  had  a  succession  of  ministers,  whose  names,  in 
part,  are  as  follows  :  Moses  Swift,  Ebenezer  Spindle,  Pliny 
Brifct,  Joseph  Eldredge, Wheaton,  John  Eliot. 

The  Roman   Catholic  Church. 

This  Church  was  instituted  in  Taunton  in  1831.  The 
following  persons  have  officiated  as  Priests :  John  Corry, 
of  Ireland ;  William  Wiley,  of  the  United  States ;  John 
O'Bierne,  of  Ireland;  and  Richard  L.  Wilson,  a  native  of 
Ireland,  in  1812,  educated  at  Rome,  and  stationed  in 
Taunton,  July,  1846.  Mr.  Wilson  left  his  station  a  year 
or  two  since.  A  large  brick  church  has  been  recently 
built  near  the  old  one,  on  the  road  to  Hopewell,  which  has 
not  been  accepted  by  the  Society.  The  misunderstanding 
on  that  subject  has  created  a  temporary  vacancy  in  the 
Priest's  office,  and  disaffection  toward  the  Bishop. 

The  Spring  Street  Church. 

The  origin  of  this  church  is  thus  explained  on  the  2 2d 
page  of  the  "Quarter  Century  Sermon"  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Maltby,  Pastor  of  the  Trinitarian  Congregational  church  : 
"  The  difficulty  of  meeting  the  demand  for  pews  led  to 
frequent  discussions.  After  mature  deliberation,  it  was 
concluded  to  organize  another  church,  composed  of  mem- 
bers from  this;  and  they  to  set  up  separate  worship. 
Hence,  say  Church  Records,  page  113 :  '  In  consequence 
of  the  large  number  in  this  church  and  congregation,  and 
the  difficulty  of  supplying  applicants  with  pews  in  the 
meeting-house,  two  meetings  of  the  church  have  been  re- 
cently held,  to  consider  the  propriety  and  duty  of  dividing 
the  church,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  amicably  and  har- 
moniously, another  Orthodox  Congregational  Church  in 
13* 


150  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

this  village,  to  occupy  the  Universalist  meeting-house, 
which  is  now  in  possession  of  members  of  this  church.' 
The  Records  add :  '  The  almost  unexampled  harmony  and 
brotherly  love,  which  have  existed  from  the  organization 
of  the  church,  and  do  still  exist,  were  frequently  spoken 
of  in  the  discussions  of  the  subject,  as  a  matter  of  joy  and 
thanksgiving.'  At  a  subsequent  meeting,  it  was  voted  to 
form  another  church.  For  which  purpose,  members  were 
dismissed  from  this,  and  publicly  organized  in  Spring 
Street  meeting-house,  January  12,  1837.  The  sermon 
on  that  occasion  was  preached  by  the  Pastor  of  this 
church."  The  church  consisted  of  forty-four  members  ; 
of  these,  forty-two  were  a  colony  from  the  Trinitarian 
Congregational  Church  at  "  the  Green,"  and  two  were 
from  tne  church  in  West  Taunton.  Their  names  were  as 
follows :  Otis  Allen,  Mrs.  Lucy  F.  Allen,  Dea.  Roswell 
Ballard,  Mrs.  Hannah  S.  Ballard,  George  W.  Braman, 
Mercy  J.  Briggs,  Seth  Burt,  Mrs.  Xancy  Burt,  Mrs.  Ly- 
dia  Carver,  Lydia  A.  Carver,  John  Cooper,  Philander  W. 
Dean,  Mrs.  Harriet  C.  Dean,  Benjamin  F.  Dean,  Widow 
Caroline  Farnum,  Bethiah  S.  Hayward,  Wealthy  G.  Hicks, 
Zephaniah  L.  Hodges,  Mrs.  Dolly  Hodges,  Sally  H.  New- 
ton, Lara  M.  Perkins,  Mrs.  Clarissa  Perkins,  Nathan 
Rand,  Dea.  William  Reed,  Mrs.  Mary  Reed,  Hodges 
Reed,  Mrs.  Clarissa  Reed,  John  Reed,  Jr.,  Mrs.  Rebecca 
Reed,  Mary  G.  Reed,  Julia  Reed,  Clarissa  W.  Reed, 
Mary  A.  Reed,  Rebecca  Reed,  2d.,  Amos  Stearns,  Mrs. 
Chloe  C.  Steams,  Susan  T.  Waldron,  Albert  G.  Wash- 
burn, Mrs.  Mary  Washburn,  Harrison  G.  0.  White,  Mrs. 
Sybil  White,  Joseph  Wilson,  Mrs.  Betsey  B.  Wilson,  Mrs. 
Betsey  H.  Woodward.  Roswell  Ballard,  and  William 
Reed  were  chosen  deacons.     S.  Hopkins  Emery,  its  first 


THE  METHODIST  CHURCHES.  151 

Pastor,  a  native  of  Boxford,  Massachusetts,  in  1815,  grad- 
uated at  Amherst  College  in  1834,  was  settled  at  Taunton 
November  23,  1837,  resigned  December  23,  1840,  and 
removed  to  Bedford,  Massachusetts,  January  1841. 

Rev.  Lathrop  Taylor,  second  Pastor,  graduated  at  Mid- 
dlebury  College  in  1839,  was  settled  in  Taunton,  May  16, 
1843,  resigned  July,  1845,  and  removed  to  Springfield, 
Vermont.  He  is  now  settled  in  Francestown,  New-Hamp- 
shire. 

The  first  Pastor  of  the  church  was  recalled,  and  rein- 
stalled, January  6,  1847,  and  still  sustains  the  Pastoral 
relation  to  it. 

Two  hundred  and  twenty  different  persons  have  been 
connected  with  the  church  ;  and  of  these  one  hundred 
and  fifty-two  are  present  members. 

The  society  have  from  the  first  occupied  the  old  meeting- 
house of  the  town,  situated  on  Spring  Street;  but  are  now 
erecting  a  new  place  of  worship  on  Main  Street,  near 
Westminster,  and  will  probably  take  a  new  name. 

The    Wesleyan  Methodist  Church. 

This  church  was  organized  at  "  the  Green,"  February 
23,  1844.  Its  ministers  have  been  as  follows:  Jotham 
Horton,  0.  D.  Morse,  John  Broomley,  William  P.  White, 
James  E.  Pomfret,  and  A.  Latham.  The  meetings  of  this 
church  were  for  a  few  years  held  in  what  was  called 
"  Wesleyan  Hall,"  but  are  now  discontinued,  and  the 
church  is  dissolved. 

Tlie  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.      Whittenton  Village. 

This  is  a  branch  of  the  church  at  the  Weir,  and  has 
maintained  distinct  religious  services  for  several  years. 


152  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

Its  ministers  have  been  Rev.  Messrs.  Hinckley,  Burnham, 
Webb,  Hardman  and  Bates.  They  worship  in  a  school- 
house.     It  is  proposed  to  erect  a  chapel. 

The  Central  Christian  Church. 

This  church  was  organized  December  23, 1847.  They 
have  a  commodious  and  attractive  meeting-house  on  Tres- 
cott  Street. 

Elder  John  S.  Maxwell,  the  first  minister,  a  native  of 
Lebanon,  Connecticut,  was  settled  April  1,  1848,  and  re- 
signed the  next  year.     He  was  succeeded  by  Elder 

Ward,  who  has  also  resigned  his  charge,  and  is  succeeded 
by  Elder  D.  A.  Russell,  who  entered  upon  his  labors 
April  1, 1851. 

The  Swedenborgiam 

have  held  an  occasional  meeting  in  town  for  the  last  two 
years.     Their  usual  place  of  meeting  is  Templar  Hall. 

There  is  a  Union  meeting  in  the  chapel  at  the  Forge  in 
Squawbetty.  There  is  no  church  organized,  neither  i3 
there  a  resident  ministry. 

The  Trinitarian  Congregational  Church  of  Middleboro' 
and  Taunton  Precinct  includes  many  members  from  Taun- 
ton. Its  meeting-house  is  nearly  on  the  line,  which  sepa- 
rates the  towns. 


FIRST   CHURCH   IN   NORTON.  153 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE   CHURCHES   AND   MINISTRY   OF   NORTON. 

The  names  of  the  original  purchasers  and  proprietors  of 
what  was  called  the  "North  Purchase,"  included  within 
the  limits  of  the  town  of  Taunton,  were  inserted  in  the 
first  volume.  (Page  38.)  Fifty-two  persons  were  em- 
powered in  the  grant  from  the  Plymouth  Court  to  hold  the 
land,  for  which  they  paid  one  hundred  pounds.  The  pur- 
chase was  made  in  1668.  It  continued  a  part  of  Taunton 
until  1711,  or  for  the  period  of  forty-three  years  ;  when 
on  application,  an  Act  of  Incorporation  was  granted  the 
settlers  in  this  part  of  the  town  for  the  most  part  descend- 
ants of  the  purchasers,  taking  the  name  of  Norton.  The 
name  may  have  been  suggested  by  its  relative  position, 
lying  north  of  the  town  of  which  it  had  hitherto  formed  a 
part.  It  included  not  only  the  present  town  of  Norton, 
but  parts  of  what  are  now  known  as  Mansfield  and  Easton. 
A  Precinct  charter  had  been  granted  in  1709,  and  "  the 
site  of  a  meeting-house  was  designated  by  the  General 
Court  that  year,  and  a  building  was  erected  before  1712."* 
Through  the  kindness  of  Hon.  Cromwell  Leonard  of  Nor- 
ton, making  application  to  the  first  parish  for  this  purpose, 
I  have  been  permitted  to  examine  the  early  records  both 
of  church  and  society,  in  that  town,  from  which  I  learn, 
that  "  a  church  was   gathered  in  Norton  on  the  28th  of 

*  Rev.  Mr.  Blake  of  Mansfield,  Ms.  Letter. 


154  THE  MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 


Oct'&r,  1714.     Those  who  covenanted*  as  members  were 

*  Hon.  Cromwell  Leonard  has  forwarded  me  the  original  covenant 
of  the  Church  in  Norton.^ 

"  We  who  are  by  the  Holy  and  Gracious  Providence  of  our  Most  Gra- 
cious and  Merciful  God  brought  unto  this  blessed  opportunity  —  unto 
this  extraordinary  duty  of  joyning  ourselves  together  according  to  the 
instituted  Church  Visible;  being  deeply  sensible  of  our  own  utter  in- 
sufficiency, as  of  ourselves,  unto  so  high  and  holy  a  work,  (as  also  a 
privilege^  and  having  desired  and  labored  solemnly  and  sincerely  to 
search  our  own  hearts  and  ways,  and  to  humble  our  souls  deeply  and 
thoroughly  before  God,  and  to  obtain  pardon  from  Him  and  peace  with 
Him  through  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ;  and  also  being  awfully  appre- 
hensive of  the  dreadful  presence  of  God,  before  whom  we  stand,  and  of 
the  appearance  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  the  exercise  of  his  Kingly 
and  his  Prophetical  office  in  his  church,  we  do,  (in  dependence  upon  His 
grace,  and  the  conduct  and  assistance  of  His  Holy  Spirit,  and  in  hope 
of  His  Gracious  acceptance,)  in  His  holy  Presence,  Name  and  fear  sol- 
emnly, sincerely,  visibly  and  professedly  by  our  own  free  act  jointly  give 
up  ourselves  and  our  seed  to  Almighty  God,  as  our  only  God,  according 
to  the  terms  of  His  own  everlasting  covenant,  and  unto  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  as  our  only  and  absolute  Savior,  engaging  ourselves  with  all  our 
hearts  and  with  all  our  souls  unto  Him,  (in  a  way  of  obedience  to  His 
great  Gospel  ordinances  of  church  fellowship,  to  live  and  walk  together 
in  a  way  of  full  and  free  subjection  unto  the  only  power  and  authority 
of  Him,  our  dear  and  blessed  Lord  Jesus,  the  Great  and  only  Shepherd 
and  Bishop  of  our  souls,  as  His  power  is  visibly  and  ministerially  exer- 
cised in  the  regular  and  orderly  ministration  of  all  Gospel  ordinances, 
both  of  doclrine,  discipline  and  worship  in  His  church,  by  such  officers, 
as  he  has  gifted  and  given  unto  His  Church  to  that  end.  Also  as  His 
power  is  exercised  in  and  over  our  souls  by  His  Holy  Spirit,  unto  whom 
also  we  give  up  ourselves  to  be  an  holy  temple  in  ye  Lord.  And  we  do 
further  covenant  with  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  through  the  graces  of  His 
Holy  Spirit,  to  keep  ourselves  clear  and  free  from  all  profane  commun- 
ion with  the  profane  world,  and  from  all  profane  communion  with  any 
society  of  men,  not  walking  according  to  the  rules  and  commands  of 
Jesus  Christ  and  to  keep  unto  Him,  according  to  this  our  holy  covenant 
with  this  particular  instituted  Church  visible.  And  further  Ave  do  in  the 
presence  of  God,  and  in  His  holy  name  and  fear,  give  up  ourselves  one 
unto  another,  by  the  will  of  God,  covenanting  to  walk  and  live  together 
as  members  of  a  Church  of  Christ,  professing  and  practicing  that  one 
only  true  religion,  which  is  revealed  to  us  in  ye  Word  of  God,  by  the 
doctrine  both  of  faith  and  obedience,  according  to  that  knowledge  which 
God  has  given  us  of  it;  and  also  in  the  exercise  of  brotherly  love  and 
christian  charity,  in  the  constant  performance  of  all  duties  of  Church 
communion,  under  the  regular  administration  of  "Word,  Prayer,  Seals 
and  censures,  even  all  Church  administration,  and  that,  as  God  shall 
help  us,  inoffensive')-  and  unblameably  in  order  to  our  mutual  edification 
and  consolation. 

Finally,  we  do  covenant,  by  God's  grace,  to  keep  our  communion  pure 
and  entire  within  ourselves,  and  to  maintain  orderly  communion  with 
all  other  Orthodox  and  rightly  constituted  Churches  of  Christ,  endeav- 
oring to  preserve  the  unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace. 


FIRST   CHURCH  IN   NORTON.  155 

Mr.  George  Leonard,*  John  Briggs,  John  Witherell,  Sen- 
ior, John  Aldrich,  Israel  Fisher,  Joseph  Dunham,  Thomas 
Skinner,  Ephraim  Grover,  John  Skinner,  Thomas  Grover, 
Nicholas  White,  Seth  Darmon,  John  Hall.',  Dec.  9th, 
Nicholas  White  was  chosen  Deacon.  The  wives  of  Messrs. 
Leonard,  Witherell,  Dunham,  and  T.  Grover,  four  of  the 
original  members,  with  Experience,  the  wife  of  Peter  Al- 
drich, Mercy,  the  wife  of  John  Hodges,  Hannah,  the  wife 
of  Eliezer  Fisher,  Mercy,  the  wife  of  Richard  Briggs, 
Widow  Rebecca  Briggs,  and  Widow  Sarah  Lane  were  ad- 
mitted to  the  church  by  letters  from  the  church  of  Christ 
in  Taunton,  November  7th,  or  only  a  few  days  after  the 
organization. 

This  holy  covenant  is  humbly  undertaken  in  the  name  and  fear  of 
God,  with  humble  confidence  in  and  dependence  upon  Him  for  ye  assis- 
tance of  His  grace  unto  ye  faithful  performance  of  all  these  our  holy 
covenant  duties  unto  himself,  and  one  unto  another,  with  patience  and 
perseverance  to  the  end,  with  all  humility,  and  most  heartily  praying 
that  God  would  pardon  all  our  sins,  both  past  and  present,  and  accept 
of  us,  as  His  covenant  people,  and  become  our  God.  To  Him  be  Glory 
in  the  Church  by  Jesus  Christ,  through  all  ages,  world  without  end. 
Amen. 

Dated  ye  4th  of  Oct.  1714:  signed  by  Joseph  Avery,  George  Leon- 
ard, John  Briggs,  John  Witherell,  Thomas  Skinner,  Peter  Aldrich, 
Ephraim  Grovier,  Joseph  Donham,  John  Skinner,  Israel  Fisher,  Thom- 
as Grovier,  Nicholas  White,  Seth  Dorman,  John  Hall. 

July  27th,  1719,  at  a  church  meeting,  the  church  did  there  approve  of 
the  Platform  of  Church  Discipline  and  did  agree  by  vote  to  practice  ac- 
cording to  the  rule  of  it. 

Sept.  5th,  1734.  This  Platform,  agreed  upon  by  the  Synod  at  Cam- 
bridge, 1648,  was  read  to  the  Church,  and  they  did  once  more  unani- 
mously approve  of  it,  or  the  substance  of  it,  and  agree  to  practice  ac- 
cording to  its  rules." 

■*  The  name  of  Leonard  has  always  existed  in  Norton.  Not  far  from 
1690,  Major  George,  third  son  of  Thomas  Leonard,  removed  to  that 
part  of  Taunton,  and  bought  large  tracts  of  land.  Major  George  was 
Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  in  1716.  His  son,  Colonel 
George,  was  Judge  of  Probate,  and  Chief  Justice  of  the  Cotirt  of  Com- 
mon Pleas.  His  son  George,  the  third  from  Thomas,  married  a  daugh- 
ter of  Hon.  Samuel  White,  was  a  Representative  in  Congi'css,  and  also 
Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas.  His  daughter  Peddy,  relict  of 
Hon.  Jabez  Bowcn,  Lieutenant  Governor  of  Rhode  Island,  has  recently 
died  in  Norton,  at  the  original  Leonard  mansion,  at  an  advanced  age, 
leaving  ono  of  the  largest  landed  estates  in  the  Commonwealth. 


156  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

Rev.  Joseph  Avery,  the  first  minister  of  the  church  in 
Norton,  was  ordained  on  the  same  day  with  the  formation 
of  the  church.  "At  his  ordination,"  say  the  records, 
"Rev.  Samuel  Danforth  of  Taunton,  gave  the  charge,  and 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Greenwood  of  Rehoboth,  gave  the  Right 
Hand  of  Fellowship."  Mr.  Avery  was  son  of  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Avery  of  Dedham,  born  April  9,  1687,  graduated  at 
Harvard  University,  1706.  In  the  year  of  his  graduation, 
he  was  hired  by  the  committee  of  Rehoboth,  "to  keep 
school  within  the  Ring  of  the  Green  for  a  quarter  of  a 
year  for  <£7,  10  shillings  silver  money."*  He  was  after- 
wards employed  by  the  General  Court  to  preach  at  Free- 
town as  missionary  at  ten  shillings  per  Sabbath.f  He  had 
a  brother  in  the  ministry,  settled  at  Truro,  Rev.  John 
Avery, f  also  a  graduate  of  Harvard  in  1706.  Mr. 
Avery  was  dismissed  from  the  pastoral  office  in  Norton  in 
1753(?),$  and  died  April  23,  1770,  aged  eighty-three. § 

*  Bliss'  History  of  Rehoboth,  page  133. 

t  Annual  Report  of  Massachusetts  Home  Missionary  Society. 

X  Rev.  Mr.  Blake,  of  Mansfield.     Vide  next  note. 

§  The  date  of  Mr.  Avery's  death  appears  on  the  church  records,  but 
not  of  his  dismission.  For  this  latter  fact,  as  well  as  some  others  in  the 
notice  of  Norton,  I  am  indebted  to  one  who  is  intimately  acquainted 
with  the  early  history  not  only  of  Mansfield,  the  place  of  his  settlement, 
but  of  that  part  of  Bristol  county.  I  am  inclined  to  think  however,  tha1 
Mr.  Avery  was  dismissed  earlier  than  Mr.  Blake  supposes.  The  parish 
took  action  on  the  subject  of  his  dismission,  according  to  their  Records, 
in  November,  1748.  They  complain  of  Mr.  Avery  for  "  not  ruling  and 
governing  the  Church  of  Christ  in  the  South  Precinct,  (so  called  in  dis- 
tinction from  the  North  Precinct,  now  Mansfield,  established  in  1731,)  of 
the  town  of  Norton,  according  to  the  Platform  of  Church  Discipline, 
('which  said  church  had  voted  to  be  their  Rule  of  Discipline,)  nor  accord- 
ing to  the  plain  votes  of  that  church  which  he  himself  had  called  for, 
but  still  refused  to  govern  according  to."  (Precinct  Records,  page  28.) 
They  moreover  requested  the  church  to  dismiss  Mr.  Avery,  but  the 
church  records  in  their  imperfect,  illegible  state  give  no  clue  to  the 
charges  against  Mr.  Avery,  or  the  precise  time  of  his  dismission.  It 
must  have  been  prior  however,  to  April  17th,  1749,  for  on  that  day  the 
"  inhabitants  of  the  South  Precinct  vote  that  Capt.  William  Stone,  John 
"Wild,  and  Dea.  Benjamin  Hodges  be  a  committee  to  joyne  with  the 
committee  of  ye  church  iu  providing  a  minister  to  supply  the  Pulpit." 


JOSEPH  AVERY.  157 


After  Mr.  Avery's  dismission,  which  was  probably  in 
1749,  several  persons  were  invited  to  settle  in  the  Gospel 
ministry  who  declined.  There  was  a  call  issued  for  a 
meeting  in  the  South  Precinct  meeting-house  "  to  make 
choice  of  some  man  that  is  a  learned  orthodox  man,  June 
ye  16$,  1749/'  The  result  of  the  meeting  was  the  con- 
currence on  the  part  of  the  parish  with  the  church  in  the 
choice  of  Mr.  Eliakim  Willis  as  minister.  He  declin- 
ed the  call.  Again,  March  20th,  1750,  the  parish 
concurred  with  the  church  in  the  choice  of  Mr.  Joseph 
Roberts  to  be  their  minister.  Mr.  Roberts  returned  a 
written  answer,  dated  September  29,  1750,  declining  the 
call,  in  which  he  says  :  "  I  have  deliberated  upon  this  im- 
portant affair,  and  advised  both  with  relatives  and  others, 
and  in  view  of  some  circumstances  among  you,  am  inclin- 
ed to  think  it  best  to  determine  in  the  negative.  I  hope 
none  of  the  people  of  this  place  will  either  be  offended  or 
grieved  with  me  in  not  giving  my  answer  sooner,  since 
Providence  prevented  by  sickness,  and  my  being  perplex- 
ed by  two  calls  at  one  and  the  same  time.  I  conclude 
this  reply  to  your  invitation  in  the  words  of  the  Apostle : 
"Finally,  brethren,  farewell;  be  perfect,  be  of  good  com- 
fort, be  of  one  mind,  live  in  peace  and  the  God  of  love 
and  peace  shall  be  with  you." 

The  record  was  made  by  George  Leonard,  for  many  years  "  Precinct 
Clerk."  Hon.  Cromwell  Leonard,  in  reply  to  a  letter  of  inquiry,  writes : 
"  "When  I  was  a  boy,  I  very  often  visited  the  grave-yard  which  was  but 
a  few  rods  from  my  father's  house,  and  there  was  hardly  an  inscription 
on  a  stone  in  that  old  burying-yard,  that  I  could  not  repeat.  Many  of 
them  I  retain  to  this  day,  although  learned  half  a  century  ago.  I  well 
remember  the  grave  and  stone  of  the  wife  of  Rev.  Joseph  Avery,  and 
also  well  remember  asking  my  father,  (who  was  one  of  his  congrega- 
tion.) where  the  minister's  grave  was,  (as  I  could  not  find  it,)  and  he  told 
me  that  Mr.  Avery  did  not  die  at  Norton,  and  was  not  buried  here. 
This,  I  have  no  doubt,  is  true.  Our  oldest  people  have  no  knowledge 
of  his  death  or  burial." 

14 


158  TIIE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUXTON. 

Again,  Sept.  30,  1751,  the  Parish  concurred  with  the 
church  in  the  choice  of  Mr.  Elijah  Lothrop  to  be  their 
minister.  He  likewise  declined ;  and  May  11th,  1752,  the 
parish  concurred  with  the  church  in  the  choice  of  Mr.  Jo- 
seph Palmer  to  be  their  minister.  They  received  answer 
as  follows,  in  September  of  that  year: 

"  To  the  first  church  of  Christ  in,  and  inhabitants  of  the 
first  parish  in  Norton : 
Dearly  beloved  in  the  Lord: 

Inasmuch  as  it  has  pleased  Almighty  God,  the  wise 
Governor  of  the  world,  to  permit  a  separation  between 
you  and  your  late  Reverend  Pastor,  and  since  this  separa- 
tion to  incline  you  so  far  to  pursue  your  own  best  interest, 
as  to  be  desirous  of  re-settling  the  Gospel  ministry  amongst 
you,  and  since  He  from  whom  every  man's  judgment  pro- 
ceeds, who  has  the  hearts  of  all  men  in  His  hands,  has 
inclined  you  to  choose  me  for  your  minister,  (unworthy  as 
I  am,)  as  appears  by  a  copy  of  your  votes  sometime  since 
presented  to  me ;  and  having,  as  I  trust,  with  a  serious 
concern  to  promote  God's  glory  and  holy  kingdom,  both  in 
myself  and  you,  taken  into  consideration,  your  invitation 
of  me,  to  settle  among  you  in  ye  work  of  ye  Gospel  min- 
istry; and  having  been  importunate  with  God  for  direction, 
and  having  asked  advice  of  men,  am  determined  to  accept 
of  your  invitation ;  with  only  asking  that  you  would  please 
make  an  addition  to  the  offers  you  made  me  for  my  sup- 
port,* and  that  is,  viz :  to  supply  me  with  sufficiency  of  fire 

*  The  Parish  voted  u  as  a  settlement  one  hundred  and  thirty-three 
pounds,  six  shillings  and  eight  pence,  lawful  money,  one  half  thereof  to 
be  paid  in  a  year  after  he  shall  settle,  and  the  other  half  in  two  years. 
Voted,  also,  as  his  annual  salary,  the  sum  of  sixty-six  pounds,  thirteen 
shillings,  and  four  pence,  lawful  money.*'  This  was  a  small  advance  on 
Mr.  Avery's  salary,  which  was  in  1735.  £60,  and  ufor  his  care  of  the 
meeting-house,  sweeping,  locking,  and  unlocking  the  same,"  three  addi- 
tional pounds.     In  succeeding  years  the  parish  allowed  for  "  Mr.  Avery's 


JOSEPH  PALMER.  159 


wood,  it  being  no  more  than  what  is  common  of  late  with 
towns  and  parishes  to  do.  By  jour  granting  this,  I  do 
accept  of  your  invitation,  trusting  in  the  Great  Head  of 
the  Church  for  assistance  in  ye  important  service,  and  in 
your  goodness  for  a  comfortable  support,  if  what  you  have 
already  proposed,  and  may  now  further  add  for  that  pur- 
pose, should  prove  insufficient.  Desiring  your  earnest 
prayer  to  God  for  me. 

(Signed,)  Joseph  Palmer. 

Cambridge,  Sept.  ye  loth,  1752." 

Rev.  Joseph  Palmer,  the  second  minister  of  the  South* 
Precinct  of  Norton,  was  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1747, 
and  ordained  in  Norton,  January  3, 1753.  He  died  April 
4th,  1791,  in  the  sixty-second  year  of  his  age,  and  thirty- 
ninth  of  his  ministry.!  He  died  and  was  buried  among 
the  people  of  his  pastoral  care  and  love.  Hon.  Cromwell 
Leonard,  whose  father  owned  and  occupied  the  place, 
where  Mr.  Palmer  lived  and  died,  has  transcribed  and  for- 
warded the  inscription  on  the  stone  erected  to  his  memory. 

negro's  sweeping,  locking  and  unlocking  the  meeting-house,"  one  pound 
less.  The  proposition  Mr.  Palmer  made  concerning  the  t:  fire-wood" 
was  not  acceded  to, "  The  Precinct  looking  upon  what  they  have  already 
voted  as  sufficient."  How  the  matter  was  finally  adjusted,  does  not  ap- 
pear.   But  the  final  answer  of  Mr.  Palmer  is  on  record  in  these  words : 

"Dearly  beloved  in  the  Lord:  whereas  you  have  once  and  again,  (by 
your  votes,)  manifested  a  desire  of  my  settling  with  you  in  the  work  of 
the  Gospel  ministry.  I  would  now  inform  you  that  I  am  determin'd,  and 
do  accept  of  your  invitation  upon  the  offer  you  made  me  for  my  support : 
trusting  in  your  goodness,  for  a  comfortable  maintenance,  if  what  you 
have  offered,  should  not  be  sufficient;  and  desire  your  prayers  to  Al- 
mighty God  that  I  may  be  a  faithful  Pastor. 

(Signed,)  Joseph  Palmer. 

Norton,  Oct.  21,  1752." 

*  It  has  been  already  stated  that  this  part  of  Norton  was  so  called  to 
distinguish  it  from  the  North  Precinct,  now  Mansfield. 

t  Norton  Church  Records,  page  18.  Also,  Rev.  Stephen  Palmer's 
6ermon  on  death  of  Rev.  Roland  Green,  page  19. 


160  THE  MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

"  Sacred 
To  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Palmer, 
Pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  and  Society 
in  ^Norton. 
"  He  departed  this  life  April  4tf ,  1791,  in  the  62d  year 
of  his  age,  and  39f7*  of  his  ministry.     His  character  was 
an  assemblage  of  those  eminent  and  endearing  virtues, 
which  constitute  the  faithful  pastor  and  exemplary  chris- 
tian, the  kind  husband,  the  tender  parent,  the  generous 
friend  and  the  good  man. 

"  He  taught  us  how  to  live,  and  oh !  too  high 
A  price  for  knowledge!  taught  us  how  to  die."' 

Mr.  Leonard  adds:  "The  society  are  now  worshipping 
in  their  third  house.  I  believe  the  first  house  was  not 
much  used  after  Mr.  Avery's  death,  and  the  second,  which 
according  to  my  remembrance,  was  erected  about  the  year 
1753,  was  abandoned  soon  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Clark, 
our  third  minister,  who  died  in  1835.  I  have  learned 
from  my  parents,  that  Mr.  Palmer  was  not  without  his 
trials  and  troubles  in  his  parish,  but  had,  as  a  whole,  a 
quiet  ministry." 

"Mr.  Palmer's  widow  survived  him  a  little  more  than 
fifteen  years.  She  died  May  20,  1806,  aged  72  years." 
This  fact  is  found  in  a  note  to  "a  sermon  delivered  at 
Mansfield,  July  31,  1808;  being  the  fourth  Lord's  Day 
after  the  interment  of  Rev.  Roland  Green,  Pastor  of  the 
church  in  that  town,  by  Stephen  Palmer,*  a.  M.,  Pastor  of 

*  Mr.  Palmer  of  Norton  had  four  sons,  William,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  thirteen.  Joseph,  Stephen  and  George.  He  also  had  four  daughters. 
Sarah,  the  eldest,  yet  lives,  on  a  small  place  in  Taunton,  on  the  Provi- 
dence road,  a  short  distance  beyond  Oakland.  The  next  daughter  was 
the  wife  of  the  Rer.  George  'Morey,  late  of  Walpole,  Mass.,  and  the 
mother  of  the  Hon.  George  Morey,  a  well  known  lawyer  of  Boston. 
The  third  daughter  was  wife  of  Rev.  Dr.  Richmond,  late  of  Dorchester, 
l>ut  for  a  long  time  minister  of  Stoughton.     The  fourth  and  last  daugh- 


*e*  m 


u^tt^    -& -£s*^r-£jL^ 


PITT   CLARKE.  161 


the  first  church  in  Needharu."  Stephen  Palmer  was  son 
of  the  minister  of  Norton  and  a  graduate  of  Harvard 
University  in  1789.  He  informs  us  that  Rev.  Mr.  Green 
of  Mansfield  "  prayed  at  the  funeral  of  his  father,  and  on 
the  succeeding  Lord's  Day  preached  at  Norton  to  the  be- 
reaved church  and  society.  His  text  in  the  forenoon  was 
Rev.  2 :  1,  These  things  saith  He,  who  holdeth  the  seven 
stars  in  his  right  hand — and  in  the  afternoon  Heb.  13: 
7,  Remember  them,  which  have  the  ride  over  you,  who 
have  spoken  unto  you  the  word  of  Grod,  whose  faith  follow, 
considering  the  end  of  their  conversation." 

Rev.  Pitt  Clarke  was  the  successor  of  Mr.  Palmer  in 
the  ministry  of  Norton.  The  church  made  choice  of  him 
as  Pastor,  October  12,  1792,  and  he  was  ordained  July  3, 
1793.  From  a  friend  I  have  received  a  suitable  sketch 
of  his  life  and  character,  which  is  here  inserted. 

"Rev.  Pitt  Clarke,  (or  Clark  as  the  name  wa3  formerly 
written,)  long  known  as  the  Pastor  of  the  First  Congre- 
gational Parish  in  Norton,  Massachusetts,  was  born  in 
Medfield,  in  the  same  State,  January  15,  1763.  His 
father,  Jacob  Clark,  was  one  of  three  brothers,  whose 
grandfather  came  from  England  and  settled  in  the  north 
of  Wrentham.  His  own  grandfather  removed  to  Med- 
field, and  purchased  a  farm,  where  some  of  the  descend- 
ants of  the  family  still  remain.  Pitt,  was  one  of  a  family 
of  seven  children,  for  whom  the  tilling  of  the  soil  in  a  re- 
tired New-England  village,  with  constant  and  severe  econ- 

ter  was  Hannah,  and  the  wife  of  Ker.  Isaac  Braman.  long  the  minister 
of  Rowley.  Hon.  Cromwell  Leonard,  who  has  furnished  other  impor- 
tant facts  in  the  notice  of  Norton,  quotes  the  above  from  memory,  and 
adds,  that  he  thinks  the  name  of  Mrs.  Morey  was  Mary,  and  of  Mrs. 
Richmond.  Lucy,  but  is  not  certain.  Mr.  Leonard  is  related  to  the 
"Leonard  family"  already  noticed.  They  all  claim  descent  from  Leon- 
ard. Lord  Dacre,  one  of  the  most  distinguished  families  of  the  nobility 
in  England,  "descended  in  two  lines  from  Edward  in." 


102  THE  MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

omy,  afforded  sufficient,  but  not  abundant  means  of  sup- 
port. In  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Meletiah 
Hammond,  were  united  an  intense  religious  sensibility,  a 
deep  and  almost  painful  feeling  of  personal  responsibility, 
and  a  naturally  nervous  temperament.  These  all  prompt- 
ed her  early  and  earnestly  to  instill  into  the  minds  and 
hearts  of  her  children,  a  pious  reverence  towards  God,  a 
sense  of  the  great  importance  of  religious  interests,  and 
daily  habits  of  devotion,  to  which,  more  than  any  other 
outward  cause,  may  be  attributed  the  early  determination 
of  this  one  of  her  sons  to  devote  himself  to  the  sacred 
office.  An  early  fondness  for  the  acquisition  of  knowl- 
edge, and  a  desire  to  increase  his  fitness  for  that  high  post 
of  duty,  led  Mr.  Clarke  to  covet  eagerly  the  advantages  of 
a  public  education.  These  however,  the  straightened  cir- 
cumstances of  his  family  could  not  readily  command,  and 
made  it  manifest,  that  if  acquired  at  all,  they  must  be  by 
his  own  exertions.  Various  circumstances  conspired  to 
postpone,  to  a  comparatively  late  period,  any  opportunity 
to  accomplish  these  wishes.  His  daily  services  were  re- 
quired upon  the  farm ;  public  and  private  interests  were 
disturbed  by  the  war  of  Independence  ;  he  himself  was  at 
one  time  called  upon  to  join  the  militia  of  his  native  town 
in  a  sudden  expedition  to  defend  the  State  against  a  threat- 
ened invasion  of  the  British  by  the  way  of  Rhode  Island ; 
the  destruction  of  his  father's  house  and  furniture  by  fire, 
(a  circumstance  of  no  small  moment  to  a  family  so  situat- 
ed,) all  united  to  frustrate  his  early  endeavors  to  obtain 
an  education.  Soon  after  the  close  of  the  Revolution 
however,  having  by  industry  and  great  frugality,  gathered 
together  a  portion  of  the  requisite  funds,  he  applied  him- 
self with  renewed  earnestness  to  the  studies  preparatory 


PITT    CLARKE.  163 


for  entering  college.  These  ho  pursued  by  the  aid,  and 
under  the  direction  of  the  late  Hannah  Adams,  a  name 
widely  known  in  the  literature  of  New-England.  From 
her  faithful  training  he  passed,  with  credit,  into  Harvard 
University  in  July,  1786,  at  the  age  of  twenty-three 
years.  His  mind,  naturally  vigorous,  and  inquisitive,  in- 
clined him  more  particularly  to  scientific  and  classic  stud- 
ies, and  in  these,  especially  in  the  mathematical  depart- 
ment, his  scholarship  was  sound,  and  much  beyond  that 
usually  attained  by  the  graduates  of  his  day. 

He  received  the  honors  of  the  University  in  1790,  but 
was  compelled  to  devote  his  first  exertions  to  replenishing 
the  slender  capital  he  had  prepared  for  his  education,  by 
the  emolument  of  teaching.  For  two  years  he  took  charge 
of  the  town  school  in  Cambridge,  at  the  same  time  devot- 
ing all  the  leisure,  he  could  command  from  this  duty,  to 
the  pursuit  of  his  theological  studies,  and  in  April,  1792, 
was  examined  and  duly  approbated  to  preach,  by  the  Cam- 
bridge Association  of  ministers.  After  occasional  servi- 
ces in  neighboring  parishes,  in  August  of  that  year,  he 
relinquished  his  school,  and  accepted  an  invitation  to  preach 
from  the  first  Congregational  society  in  Norton,  whose 
pulpit  had  been  recently  made  vacant  by  the  death  of  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Palmer.  This  was  the  first  place  of  his 
preaching  as  a  candidate,  and  though  the  desk  had  been 
previously  occupied  by  several  others  since  Mr.  Palmer's 
decease,  such  was  the  favor  with  which  his  labors  were  re- 
ceived, that,  after  preaching  only  four  Sabbaths,  he 
received  from  the  church  an  invitation  to  become  their 
pastor.  This  call  was  sudden  and  unexpected  to  him,  and 
following  upon  so  recent  an  acquaintance,  did  not  command 
the  unanimous  assent  of  the  parish,  though  seconded  by  a 


101  TIIE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

decided  majority  in  the  church.  He  did  not  immediately 
accept  it,  but  with  that  cautious  judgment,  for  which  he 
was  ever  distinguished,  proposed  a  temporary  arrangement, 
by  which  he  continued  to  supply  their  pulpit  during  the 
following  winter  and  spring,  thus  securing  to  himself  and 
the  parish,  an  opportunity  for  more  mature  deliberation 
before  entering  upon  an  engagement  which  was  then  re- 
garded as  terminating  only  with  life.  A  better  acquain- 
tance on  the  part  of  the  parish  served  only  to  increase  the 
confidence  his  first  coming  had  inspired,  and  resulted  in 
a  renewed  and  more  decided  invitation,  from  church  and 
parish,  to  make  the  connexion  a  permanent  one.  This  in- 
vitation he  accepted,  and  he  was  accordingly  ordained  July 
3, 1793,  the  services  of  the  occasion  being  principally  per- 
formed by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Prentiss,  of  Medfield,  who 
preached  the  sermon,  Rev.  Jacob  Cushing,  of  Waltham, 
who  gave  the  charge,  Rev.  Roland  Green,  of  Mansfield, 
who  gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowship. 

"A  solemn  day  to  me!"  (says  the  Pastor,  in  a  short 
auto-biographical  notice  found  among  his  papers  after  his 
decease,)  "  my  deepest  impression  was,  that  I  was  insuffi- 
cient for  these  things.  I  felt  the  force  of  that  passage, 
4  I  knew  not  how  to  go  out  and  come  in  before  the  people,' 
and  made  it  the  subject  of  my  first  discourse  after  ordina- 
tion." 

This,  his  first  field  of  earthly  labor,  proved  the  only  one 
in  which  he  was  to  work.  For  two  and  forty  years,  the 
connexion  thus  formed  continued  unbroken,  and  then  only 
by  the  hand  of  death.  So  many  years  of  his  early  life, 
spent  by  Mr.  Clark  in  the  healthy  exercise  of  the  farm, 
with  a  constitution  of  great  natural  strength  and  vigor, 
and  the  simple  habits  of  living,  to  which  he  always  adhcr- 


PITT   CLABKE.  165 


ed,  all  combined  to  secure  to  him  a  life  of  uninterrupted 
health  and  strength,  and  enabled  him,  with  a  constancy 
and  certainty,  rarely  equalled,  to  meet  the  various  and 
constantly  returning  duties  of  his  office.  Rarely  if  ever 
was  he  known,  from  any  cause,  to  be  absent  from  the  desk 
on  the  Sabbath,  from  the  bedside  of  the  sick  and  dying, 
the  house  of  mourning,  or  any  other  station,  to  which  duty 
called,  during  all  the  years  of  his  lengthened  ministry. 
He  was  remarkable  for  his  habits  of  industry,  regularity 
and  order, — always  an  early  riser,  the  first  hours  of  the 
morning  found  him  uniformly  at  his  work,  and  many  of  his 
discourses  were  prepared  during  the  earliest  hours  of  days 
largely  occupied  by  the  labors  of  the  farm.  He  continu- 
ed, during  all  his  life,  to  supply  the  deficiencies  of  an  in- 
adequate salary,  by  partaking,  in  common  with  many  of 
his  parishoners,  in  the  toils  of  the  husbandman,  with  which 
his  early  training  made  him  familiar. 

His  whole  character,  as  a  man  and  a  minister,  was  not 
only  above  all  reproach  or  question,  but  in  every  respect 
faithful  and  exemplary.  Among  his  clerical  brethren  he 
was  widely  respected  for  his  sound  judgment  and  wise 
counsel,  and  was  frequently  called  to  assist  or  preside  in 
their  deliberations.  He  took  a  hearty  and  efficient  inter- 
est in  the  cause  of  education,  devoting  much  of  his  time 
and  attention  to  the  care  of  the  common  schools  in  his 
parish.  He  rendered  important  service,  for  many  years, 
as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Bristol 
Academy,  in  Taunton,  and  in  1827  became  a  life  member 
of  the  American  Education  Society. 

He  possessed  largely  the  confidence  of  his  people,  and 
his  counsel  and  advice  were  often  sought  by  them,  in  mat- 
ters of  private  and  personal  concern.     Among  them  ho 


166  THE  MINISTBY   OF  TAUNTON. 

was  loved  and  esteemed,  as  possessing,  in  an  unusual  de- 
gree, that  quiet  evenness  of  temper,  that  daily  serenity  of 
life,  and  calmness  of  judgment,  under  all  circumstances, 
which  must  ever  form  the  most  reliable  elements  of  char- 
acter. In  him,  these  qualities  so  constituted  the  texture 
of  his  daily  life,  that  those  who  knew  him  best  and  saw 
him  oftenest,  rarely,  if  ever,  saw  them  in  any  degree  dis- 
turbed or  shaken. 

These  characteristics  appeared  in  his  public  ministra- 
tions, and  gave  to  them  a  quiet  and  simple  earnestness, 
accompanied  by  a  directness  of  appeal  and  application, 
which  rendered  them  profitable  to  the  people  of  his  charge, 
and  made  him  an  acceptable  preacher  in  all  the  neighbor- 
ing pulpits. 

Mr.  Clarke  continued  always  to  enjoy  the  confidence  of 
the  University  where  he  was  educated,  and  his  house,  was 
often  selected  by  its  government,  as  the  temporary  resi- 
dence of  those,  whose  immediate  connexion  with  the  col- 
lege was,  from  any  cause,  interrupted ;  and  many  passed 
from  his  careful  hands  to  the  walls  of  the  University. 

In  the  constant,  but  unobtrusive  duties  of  his  parish, 
the  forty-two  years  of  his  life  and  his  ministry  passed 
away.  It  appears  from  the  entries  in  a  diary,  kept  during 
the  last  twelve  years  of  his  life,  and  found  among  his  pa- 
pers after  his  decease,  that  a  sense  of  the  importance  of 
his  duties,  and  of  the  obligation  to  fidelity  imposed  by  his 
office  deepened  as  he  saw  himself  approaching  the  end  of 
his  earthly  ministry.  Though  his  health  and  strength 
failed  not,  still  with  each  year  he  seemed  more  fully  to 
realize  that  but  few  more  remained  to  him  here. 

The  last  entry  made  in  his  diary,  under  date  of  Janua- 
ry 1, 1835,  though  he  was  then  in  perfect  health,  closes  with 


PITT   CLARKE.  167 


these  words :  '  The  days  of  my  years  teach  me  that  the 
solemn  test  of  my  character  is  at  hand — that  eternity  is 
at  my  door — that  there  is  but  a  step  between  me  and 
death. '  This  step  was  shorter  even  than  he  anticipated. 
A  short  but  severe  illness  of  only  eleven  days  duration, 
arrested  him  in  the  midst  of  his  active  duties,  and  suffered 
but  one  Sabbath  to  pass  between  the  one  which  witnessed 
his  last  ministrations  to  his  own  people  and  that  on  which 
they  were  summoned  to  mourn  at  his  funeral.  He  died 
February  13,  1835,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two — meeting 
the  end  in  a  sustained  and  serene  faith,  as  being  but  the 
beginning  of  the  better  life.  One  of  his  clerical  breth- 
ren,* who  visited  him  frequently  during  his  sickness,  spoke 
of  this  dying  scene  in  these  words : 

1 1  testify,  (and  I  bless  God  for  the  privilege  of  so  tes- 
tifying,) that  often  as  I  have  stood  by  the  bed  of  mortal 
sickness,  and  prayed,  and  watched  and  wept  as  one  and 
another  of  the  spirits  of  flesh  was  quitting  its  tenement  of 
clay,  never  have  I  beheld  a  death-bed  scene  more  sublime- 
ly edifying,  more  christianly  serene,  sustained,  and  consol- 
ing, than  that  of  the  aged  servant  of  Christ,  who  sleeps 
in  death  before  us.  Truly  his  latter  end  was  Peace.  He 
knew  in  whom  he  believed,  and  "endured,  as  seeing  Him, 
who  is  Invisible. "  The  Being  whom  he  served,  shed 
down  into  his  soul  the  gladsome  tokens  of  His  presence. 
Supports  he  experienced,  which  the  world  could  not  give, 
which  flesh  and  sense  were  incapable  of  administering,  but 
which  death  itself  could  not  take  away.  "  My  heart  is 
fixed,"  he  exultingly  exclaimed,  "My  heart  is  fixed,  trust- 
ing, 0,  Lord,  in  Thee.     I  am  now  ready  to  be  offered, 

*  Rey.  Andrew  Bigelow,  d.  d.,  then  minister  in  Taunton,  who 
preached  in  Norton  on  Lord's  Day,  February  15th,  1835  a  funeral  ser- 
mon which  was  afterwards  published. 


103  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

and  the  time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand.  Father,  into 
Thy  hands  I  commit  my  spirit."  And  he  sunk  from  life 
to  rest  in  peace,  and  sleep  in  the  u  blessed  hope." 

Rev.  Pitt  Clarke  was  married  to  Rebecca  Jones,  young- 
est daughter  of  Col.  John  Jones,  of  Hopkinton,  Massachu- 
setts. February  1,  1708.  He  was  married  a  second  time 
to  Mary  Jones  Stimson,  daughter  of  Doctor  Jeremy  Stira- 
son,  of  the  same  place,  November  12,  1812.  He  had 
nine  children,  three  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  SLx  are 
still  living,  viz:  By  his  first  wife,  Abigail  Morton  Clarke, 
the  wife  of  Mr,  John  J.  Stimson,  of  Providence,  Rhode 
Island;  William  Pitt  Clarke,  now  residing  in  Ashland, 
Massachusetts:  John  Jones  Clarke,  Esq.,  of  Roxbury, 
Massachusetts.  By  his  second  wife,  George  Leonard 
Clarke,  of  Providence ;  Manlius  Stimson  Clarke,  Esq., 
and  Edward  Hammond  Clarke,  M.  p.,  of  Boston,  Mass. 

The  body  of  the  departed  father  lies  in  the  church-yard 
of  Norton,  awaiting  the  call  of  that  voice  which  wakes  the 
dead.     The  following  epitaph  is  to  be  read  by  the  living: 

'•In  the  firm  hope  of  everlasting  life. 
In  faith,  in  virtue  strong,  the  christian  dies : 
And  he,  who  oft  at  others'  death-bed  prayed, 
Himself  now  all  its  hidden  mystery  tries. 

Faithful  to  conscience,  prompt  at  duty's  call, 
Anxious  from  sin  and  woe  his  flock  to  save, 
He  lived  to  bless,  then  paid  the  debt  of  all, 
Yielding  to  God  the  spirit  that  He  gave." 

Several  of  Mr.  Clarke's  sermons  were  published  in  hia 
lifetime.  Of  these  I  have  seen  and  examined  the  follow- 
ing: MA  Discourse,  delivered  before  the  Norton  Female 
Christian  Association,  on  their  anniversary,  June  3, 1818; 
a  sermon,  preached  at  Mansfield,  the   Sabbath  after  the 


PITT    CLARKE.  169 


Interment  of  the  Hon.  Ebenezer  Warren,*  who  died  Jan- 
uary 1,  1824;  a  sermon  on  "the  formation  of  a  new 
heart,"  published  by  Leonard  C.  Bowles  in  his  "Monthly 
Publication  of  Sermons  "  for  May,  1830.  The  same  year 
with  his  death,  was  issued  an  address  to  his  people,  found 
among  his  papers.  Appended  to  Doctor  Bigelow's  Fu- 
neral Discourse  are  interesting  extracts  from  the  private 
journal  of  Mr.  Clarke,  during  the  latter  part  of  his  life. 
"The  Right  Hand  of  Fellowship,"  given  Mr.  Pipon  at  his 
ordination  hi  Taunton,  January  15,  1800,  is  appended  to 
the  sermon  preached  on  the  same  occasion  by  Dr.  Kirk- 
land.  Three  of  the  earlier  sermons  of  Mr.  Clarke,  in 
MS.,  have  been  submitted  by  his  sons  for  examination,  the 
first,  number  18,  from  Isaiah  1:  3,  "My  people  doth  not 
consider;"  the  second,  number  24,  from  2  Cor.  6:  2, 
" Behold,  now  is  the  accepted  time;  behold,  now  is  the 
day  of  salvation ;"  and  the  third,  number  77,  from  Gen. 
3:  6,  "And  when  the  woman  saw  that  the  tree  was  good 
for  food,  and  that  it  was  pleasant  to  the  eyes,  and  a  tree 
to  be  desired  to  make  one  wise ;  she  took  of  the  fruit 
thereof,  and  did  eat,  and  gave  also  unto  her  husband  with 
her,  and  he  did  eat."  The  latter  sermon  is  given  to  the 
reader,  as  it  was  preached  in  Norton,  January  19,  1794. 

*  From  the  sermon,  it  appears  that  Hon.  Ebenezer  Warren  was 
brother  of  General  Joseph  Warren,  the  hero  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  Doc- 
tor John  Warren,  a  Physician  of  Boston,  and  once  Professor  in  Harvard 
University.  Ebenezer  was  a  member  of  the  State  Convention  in  1788; 
in  1790,  lie  had  a  commission  from  Gov.  Hancock  to  be  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  and  three  years  after,  he  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas. 


15 


170  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 


SERMON  by  Rev.  PITT  CLARKE,  of  Norton,  in 
1794. 


Genesis  hi.  6. 

And  when  the  woman  saw  that  the  tree  was  good  for  food, 
and  that  it  was  pleasant  to  the  eyes,  as  a  tree  to  be  de- 
sired to  make  one  icise  ;  she  took  of  the  fruit  thereof 
and  did  eat,  and  gave  also  unto  her  husband  with  her, 
and  he  did  eat. 

SUCH  was  the  conduct  of  our  first  parents.  Though 
the j  were  happy  in  the  smiles  of  each,  and  might  par- 
take of  all  the  innocent  pleasures  and  delights  which  the 
garden  of  Eden  afforded,  yet  they  were  not  satisfied. 
They  were  not  contented  with  the  rich  fruition  of  Paradise, 
so  long  as  there  was  a  prohibition  upon  a  single  thing. 
Such  their  aspiring  aim  after  more  than  was  allowed  them, 
such  their  curiosity  to  grasp  what  they  had  no  business 
with,  that  they  soon  leaped  the  bounds,  which  were  set 
them,  and  forfeited  the  peculiar  happiness  of  the  Garden. 
Whatever  be  the  name  or  nature  of  the  forbidden  tree, 
it  was  a  test  of  obedience,  and  designed  as  a  trial  for  pro- 
bationers. Not  to  stand  this  trial  would  be  a  loss  of  in- 
nocence, and  of  course  a  loss  of  perfect  happiness.  Though 
the  eating  of  the  forbidden  fruit  would  be  an  increase  of 
knowledge,  yet  it  would  be  painful  knowledge, — bitter 
experience, — the  regret  of  forfeiting  the  felicity  of  Para- 
dise, and  being  cast  into  a  world  of  sorrow,  suffering  and 
woe.  The  leading  ideas  contained  in  the  text,  are,  that 
mankind  are  prone  to  gratify  present  taste  at  the  risk  of 


clakke's  sermon  in  1794.  171 

their  greatest  good,  and  also  to  copy  the  "wicked  examples 
of  others,  though  by  it  they  forfeit  their  supreme  felicity. 
When  the  woman  saw  that  the  tree  ivas  good  for  food — 
pleasant  to  the  eyes,  to  taste,  $c,  she  took  of  the  fruit 
thereof.  And  when  she  gave  it  to  her  husband,  he  follow- 
ed her  example.  Though  they  were  plainly  told  by  their 
Maker,  that  the  consequence  of  eating  would  be  certain 
death;  yet  the  strong  propensity  to  gratify  the  taste,  or 
indulge  a  vain  curiosity,  impelled  them  to  go  contrary  to 
their  own  convictions  of  right,  and  to  risk  all  consequences. 

By  the  same  desire  of  carnal  indulgence  mankind  at 
the  present  day  act  contrary  to  their  own  convictions,  and 
risk  future  happiness. 

Thousands  who  acknowledge  the  great  truths  of  natural 
and  revealed  religion,  are  found  to  act  in  opposition  to 
them.  They  follow  those  things,  that  are  pleasing  to  the 
taste,  to  the  eye,  and  lusts  of  the  flesh,  and  thereby  haz- 
ard their  present  peace,  and  forfeit  all  hopes  of  future 
happiness.  There  may  however  be  a  secret  hope,  as  there 
doubtless  was  in  the  minds  of  our  first  parents,  that  the 
threatenings  of  God  will  not  be  executed  upon  every  trans- 
gression. Mankind  at  the  present  day  have  no  more  rea- 
son to  doubt  the  authenticity  of  revelation,  or  the  certainty 
that  God  is  speaking  unto  us,  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  than 
Adam  and  Eve  had  to  doubt  the  declaration  of  God  to 
them.  But  notwithstanding  all  this,  there  are  doubts  en- 
tertained respecting  the  evil  consequences  of  sin,  or  the 
threatenings  of  God.  In  this  respect  our  first  parents 
were  led  into  doubts.  They  were  enticed  into  a  secret 
belief,  that  God's  threatenings  would  not  be  executed. 

Nothing  but  dear-bought  experience  would  convince  them 
to  the  contrary.     In  like  manner  we  find  many  at  the  pres- 


172  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TACXTOX. 

ent  day,  influenced  by  a  notion,  that  sin  is  not  so  malig- 
nant and  destructive,  nor  God  so  strict  in  executing  pun- 
ishment as  is  represented  in  Scripture.  And  nothing  will 
convince  them  but  sad  experience.  By  spending  a  whole 
life  in  sin,  and  being  doomed  to  eat  the  fruit  of  their  own 
way,  they  then  too  late  feel  the  consequences  of  disobedi- 
ence. 

The  rich  man  lived  in  carnal  indulgence,  regardless  of 
future  consequences ;  but  when  he  died  he  felt  the  evil  of 
his  ways.  Lifting  up  his  eyes  in  torment,  he  begged 
Abraham  to  send  to  his  Father's  house,  and  warn  his  breth- 
ren and  friends  lest  they  also  come  into  the  same  punishment. 
For  he  says,  if  one  go  unto  them  from  the  dead,  they  ivill 
repent.  Abraham,  who  well  knew  the  nature  of  man,  said, 
if  they  believe  not  Moses  and  the  Prophets,  neither  will  they 
believe  though  one  should  rise  from  the  dead ;  intimating 
that  nothing  but  the  dear-bought  experience  which  he  had 
would  convince  many  of  their  danger. 

There  are  persons  who  believe  in  God,  and  in  natural 
and  revealed  religion,  but  they  have  not  that  realizing 
sense  of  his  promises  and  threatenings,  which  influences 
their  conduct.  All  the  knowledge  in  the  world  —  the 
most  perfect  view  of  all  the  truths  and  doctrines  of  reve- 
lation, will  avail  but  little,  unless  the  affections  are  engag- 
ed and  interested  on  the  side  of  virtue.  Men's  prin- 
ciples will  only  float  useless  in  the  head,  till  the  heart  be 
warmly  affected,  and  feel  interested  in  yielding  obedi- 
ence. The  desire  or  curiosity  for  disobedience  is  to  be 
mortified,  and  the  inclinations  brought  into  subjection  to 
the  will  of  God.  A  fixed,  animated  resolution  to  serve 
God,  is  the  thing  which  influences  to  real  practice.  This 
treats  with  disdain  everything,  that  militates  with  it,  and 


clarke's  sermon  in  1794.       173 

says  to  the  evil  insinuation,  get  thee  behind  me,  Satan. 
For  it  is  written,  thou  shalt  worship  the  Lord  thy  God, 
and  him  only  shalt  thou  serve.  Had  our  first  parents  ad- 
hered to  this  resolution,  the  subtlety  of  the  serpent  would 
not  have  beguiled  them.  And  did  all  mankind  form  such 
a  resolution  and  abide  by  it,  they  would  have  grace  to 
overcome  every  temptation  to  sin.  But  by  irresolution,  or 
want  of  consideration,  the  grace  of  God  is  lost, — his  holy 
spirit  grieved  away  ;  the  evil  one  takes  the  advantage,  and 
the  commission  of  sin  is  the  consequence.  Every  man 
under  the  exercise  of  reason  is  ready  to  acknowledge, 
that  eternal  happiness  is  preferable  to  any  short-lived  plea- 
sure,—  that  the  favor  of  God  is  better  than  all  the  plea- 
sures of  sense.  Were  eternal  glory  always  present  to  the 
mind  and  the  happiness  of  living  with  God  continually  in 
view,  the  objects  of  the  world  would  not  be  so  influential. 
Mankind  are  led  astray  by  yielding  to  present  good,  with- 
out considering  the  consequences  of  it.  In  this  way  our 
first  parents  fell  from  their  state  of  innocence  and  glory. 
Their  appetites  sought  present  indulgence, — their  affec- 
tions were  placed  on  present  good,  and  not  properly  consid- 
ering the  consequences  of  gratification,  they  eat  of  the 
forbidden  fruit.  Mankind  at  present  by  fixing  their  eyes 
on  sensual  objects,  to  the  neglect  of  spiritual,  become 
slaves  to  their  appetites,  and  passions.  And  from  a  wish  to 
please  the  fashionable  world,  they  yield  to  fashionable  vices. 
This  world  and  its  objects  are  the  general  topic  of  conver- 
sation, and  uppermost  in  the  mind ;  and  therefore  most 
likely  to  gain  the  affections.  Especially  the  gay  and  vol- 
atile are  so  transported  with  these '  sensual  pleasures,  as  to 
neglect  the  consideration  of  more  durable  good,  and  are 
regardless  of  future  misery.  Indeed  the  greater  part  of 
15* 


174  THE   MINISTRY    OF   TAUNTON. 


the  follies  and  vices  of  the  world  are  brought  on  in  the 
same  way,  as  was  the  first  transgression.  Those  things 
that  are  pleasant  to  the  eyes,  gratifying  to  the  sensual  ap- 
petite, or  flattering  to  worldly  ambition,  preponderate  over 
all  the  bulk  of  mankind,  and  become  the  most  powerful 
springs  of  action.  Thus  the  rising  generation  are  led 
to  please  the  fancy.  The  middle-aged  are  impelled  with  a 
desire  of  wealth,  or  of  making  a  worldly  appearance,  or 
of  gratifying  a  worldly  ambition.  And  parents  are  in 
general  most  pleased  with  those  children  who  are  the  most 
forward  in  external  graces,  or  showy  qualifications.  All 
this  propensity  is  natural  to  depraved  creatures,  and  has 
been  hande  1  down  from  the  first  violators,  who  when  they 
saw  the  tree  was  good  for  food,  pleasant  to  the  eyes,  and 
a  tree  to  be  desired  to  make  one  wise,  took  of  the  fruit 
thereof,  and  did  eat. 

When  this  wicked  example  is  once  set,  there  is  a  strong- 
er propensity  in  others  to  follow  it.  For  mankind  are  very 
much  led  by  example,  and  formed  by  imitation.  There  is 
hardly  anything  too  absurd  to  maintain,  that  is  fashionable, 
hardly  anything  too  wicked  to  be  done,  if  it  be  generally 
practised.  Young  people  imitate  those  who  go  before 
them,  and  the  bulk  of  common  people  follow  the  example 
of  those  more  influential. 

Thus  mankind  are  prone  to  gratify  present  taste,  and  to 
copy  after  others  in  sin,  though  it  be  contrary  to  rational 
conviction.  This  is  the  way  in  which  the  first  sin  was 
committed,  and  which  the  wicked  have  followed  ever  since. 

We  will  now  examine  some  of  the  causes  which  lead  to 
this. 

The  first,  I  shall  mention,  is  giving  way  to  vain  and  low 
conceptions.     It  was  vanity  in  Adam  and  Eve,  to  suffer 


clarke's  sermon  in  1704.  175 

temporal  food,  or  what  was  merely  pleasant  to  the  senses 
to  overpower  weightier  considerations,  such  as  breaking  a 
divine  command,  and  forfeiting  a  paradise  of  bliss.  This 
was  descending  below  their  rank  — degrading  their  natures. 
They  were  endowed  with  rational  souls, —  capable  of  the 
sublime  and  exalted  enjoyment  of  their  Maker.  It  was 
certainly  vanity  in  them  to  let  the  bodily  senses  divert  the 
nobler  powers  of  the  mind  from  God,  the  source  of  happi- 
ness. 

Vanity  is  an  equal  source  of  error  among  us,  their  off- 
spring. It  is  equally  criminal  in  us  to  suffer  the  desires 
of  the  body  to  overpower  the  cravings  of  the  soul,  or  to  fix 
our  supreme  attention  on  the  things  of  time  and  sense. 
The  indulging  of  vain,  and  low  conceptions  has  a  direct 
tendency  to  lead  into  sin.  It  draws  off  the  faculties  from 
the  love  and  service  of  God,  and  fills  the  soul  with  crea- 
ture enjoyments.  The  Psalmist  says,  Men  of  loiv  degree 
are  vanity.  And  the  Apostle  declares  of  the  wicked, 
They  become  vain  in  their  imaginations  and  their  foolish 
hearts  are  darkened, — that  while  they  know  God,  they 
worship  him  not  as  God,  but  they  worship  and  serve  the 
creature  more  than  the  Creator. 

This  is  one  great  source  of  their  wickedness  and  ruin. 

A  second  cause,  why  mankind  so  often  plunge  themselves 
into  sin,  is  gratifying  curiosity,  or  following  an  inclination 
for  pleasure,  —  not  pleasure  which  is  considered  at  the 
time  as  criminal,  but  that,  which  is  thought  free  from  dan- 
gerous consequences,  or  which  promises  an  overbalance  of 
good  to  the  ill  feared.  Though  many  are  led  astray  by 
their  appetites,  yet  not  always  in  contradiction  to  their 
persuasion,  that  bad  consequences  will  follow.  Our  first 
parents  would  undoubtedly  have  refrained  from  eating  the 


176  THE   MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

forbidden  fruit,  had  they  at  the  time  a  realizing  belief  that 
the  threatenings  would  be  executed.  They  were  flattered 
to  think,  they  should  not  die  in  consequence  of  it ;  but, 
that  they  would  be  made  wiser  and  happier  by  it.  Thus 
men  are  flattered  into  sin  by  the  fallacious  appearance  of 
good,  without  apprehending  the  evil  of  it.  No  person,  in 
the  exercise  of  reason  would  taste  the  most  delicious  food, 
were  he  certain,  that  immediate  death  would  be  the  conse- 
quence. Let  a  person  be  ever  so  much  addicted  to  intem- 
perance, he  would  not  indulge  his  appetite, — he  would  not 
run  into  excess,  if  he  saw  the  hand  of  vengeance  over 
him,  ready  to  destroy  him  for  it  the  next  moment.  The 
wicked  run  on  to  eat  and  drink  their  own  damnation,  from 
a  delusive  hope,  that  they  shall  somehow  escape  future 
punishment,  or  after  they  have  tasted  the  pleasure  of  the 
pursuit,  they  shall  avert  the  danger  by  an  after  repentance. 
A  man  on  the  gallows,  or  under  the  operating  sentence  of 
death  would  not  commit  sin,  had  he  an  opportunity  to  do 
it.  His  feelings,  and  desires  would  then  be  on  the  side  of 
virtue.  Eternity  would  then  fill  the  whole  compass  of 
thought ;  and  everything  would  draw  into  obedience.  But 
when  death  is  viewed  at  a  distance,  and  the  pleasures  of 
sense  are  present  to  the  mind,  these  steal  away  the  affec- 
tions, and  swallow  up  the  thought  of  a  hereafter.  Incli- 
nation to  gratify  rushes  upon  the  mind,  and  present  plea- 
sure preponderates  over  all  future  good. 

A  third  reason  why  men  are  carried  beyond  bounds,  is 
a  want  of  consideration.  They  do  not  consider  what  is 
their  greatest  good,  and  what  will  lead  to  their  greatest 
happiness.  They  do  not  consider  the  evil  consequences  of 
sin.  They  follow  first  appearances  without  suitable  delib- 
eration.    When  our  first  parents  thought  the  tree  desira- 


clarke's  sermon  in  1794.  177 

ble  to  make  them  wise,  they,  without  consideration,  par- 
took of  the  fruit.  They  did  not  sin  because  they  loved  it, 
nor  do  sinners  fall  into  vice,  because  they  desire  it  in  it- 
self considered ;  but  they  connect  great  apparent  good 
with  it.  And  this  false  judging,  or  deception  is  owing  in 
a  great  measure  to  a  want  of  consideration.  For  this 
reason  multitudes  fall  precipitately  into  the  commission  of 
sin.  They  form  hasty  decisions,  or  act  without  consider- 
ation. Self  love,  or  something  agreeable  to  the  external 
senses,  hurries  them  on,  and  they  act  almost  without 
thought.  And  thus  acting  they  very^soon  make  that  ap- 
pear reasonable,  which  is  agreeable.  For  it  is  a  just  re- 
mark, He,  who  earnestly  wishes,  that  a  thing  were  lawful, 
has  half  consented  that  it  is  so.  Dishonesty  has  already 
crept  into  such  a  man's  heart,  and  the  transition  from  thence 
to  the  head  is  quick  and  powerful.  Various  are  the  wind- 
ings and  turnings  of  self-love  and  deceptions  of  sin,  by 
which  men  inconsiderately  deceive  themselves.  The  wick- 
ed, it  they  did  but  consider,  would  acknowledge,  that 
they  are  more  dishonest  with  themselves  than  with  one 
another.  A  man  may  cheat  his  neighbor,  but  he  cheats 
himself  the  most.  He  robs  himself  of  a  treasure  infinite- 
ly more  valuable,  than  all  worldly  goods.  The  thief,  who 
allows  himself  in  stealing,  cannot  possibly  take  from 
another,  anj^thing  that  is  of  so  much  worth,  as  what  he 
takes  from  his  own  soul.  For  in  the  very  act  he  robs  him- 
self of  innocence  and  virtue,  which  are  far  above  the  price 
of  rubies.  The  man  who  murders  another,  is  worse  than 
a  murderer  to  himself.  He  plunges  the  dagger  of  wick- 
edness into  his  own  immortal  part.  So  in  all  human  deal- 
ings. The  injury  which  one  man  does  to  another,  is  not 
so  great  as  that  which  he  does  to  himself.     For  tiat  winch 


178  THE  MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

we  do  to  another  is  only  temporal ;  what  we  do  to  our- 
selves is  eternal.  It  is  therefore  for  want  of  considera- 
tion, that  any  person  allows  himself  in  fraud,  in  theft,  or 
any  kind  of  wickedness.  For  every  one,  who  properly 
considers,  must  know,  that  it  is  of  the  highest  interest  to 
love  God,  and  keep  his  commands, — to  do  justly,  love 
mercy,  and  walk  humbly  with  God. 

Another  motive  to  sin,  which  arises  principally  from 
the  same  cause,  is  a  spirit  of  conformity.  The  woman 
took  of  the  fruit — gave  also  unto  her  husband  and  he  did 
eat.  This  spirit  of  conformity  is  so  powerful  that  the 
whole  world  is  governed  in  a  great  measure  by  example. 
In  vain  do  parents  teach  their  children  the  ways  of  relig- 
ion, if  they  walk  not  in  them  themselves.  The  same  may 
be  said  of  ministers,  and  all  instructors.  Their  precepts 
avail  but  little,  unless  enforced  by  good  example.  One 
spark  of  virtue  carried  into  practice  is  worth  thousands  in 
mere  word,  or  speculation.  For  thousands  will  catch  the 
spirit  of  example  sooner  than  they  will  be  influenced  by 
mere  lip  instruction. 

All  this  goes  to  prove  that  there  is  a  great  proneness 
in  mankind  to  fall  into  the  examples  of  others,  though 
they  are  spoken  against  and  known  to  be  bad.  If  lead- 
ing characters  eat  the  forbidden  fruit,  and  seem  to  prosper, 
others  will  do  the  same.  They  easily  swim  with  the  cur- 
rent, and  rather  follow  the  multitude,  even  to  do  evil, 
than  resolutely  to  stem  the  torrent  of  fashionable  sins,  and 
persevere  in  a  course  of  self-denial.  This  spirit  of  conform- 
ity and  want  of  consideration  are  two  powerful  causes  for 
the  commission  of  sin. 

For  our  improvement  then  we  ought  to  put  ourselves 
upon  the  guard  against  them.     The  only  effectual  way  to 


Clarke's  right  hand  in  1800.  179 

do  this  is  to  adhere  to  the  commands  of  God,  to  follow 
the  leadings  of  his  spirit,  and  yield  obedience  to  his  -will. 
It  is  he  alone,  who  savingly  affects  the  heart, — animates 
the  springs  of  action, — and  engages  the  affections  on  the 
side  of  religion.  But  he  will  be  sought,  that  he  may  do 
all  this  for  us.  We  are  to  use  the  means,  by  fixing  our 
thoughts  long  and  often  on  religion.  Howsoever  disa- 
greeable at  first,  by  often  musing  upon  it,  the  fire  may 
kindle.  By  consideration,  reading,  hearing  the  word, 
meditation  and  prayer,  the  mind  becomes  seasoned  for 
religion,  the  heart  susceptible  of  deep  impressions. 

Consideration  and  meditation  are  two  powerful  guards 
against  sin,  and  great  incitements  to  virtue. 

Consider  therefore  before  you  act.  Consider  what  you 
are  about  to  do,  —  the  nature  of  inaction  —  the  conse- 
quences,— whether  it  be  contrary  to  the  commandment 
of  God. 


The  Right  Hand  of  Fellowship 
At  the  Ordination  of  Rev.  JOHN  PIP  ON,  of  Taun- 
ton, Jan.  15, 1800  ; 
By  the  Rev.  Mr.  CLARKE,  of  Norton. 


THE  gospel  of  our  glorious  Redeemer  is  a  system  of  love 
admirably  designed  to  suit  the  condition  of  fallen  men, 
and  to  draw  them  into  the  practice  of  its  amiable  virtues. 
To  promote  this  design  in  a  way  consistent  with  human 
feelings,  ambassadors  are  commissioned  by  the  Spirit  of 
God,  to  proclaim  the  proffers  and  blessings  of  it,  and  to 


180  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

persuade  mankind,  if  possible,  to  conform  to  it.  That 
they  may  happily  succeed  in  this  work,  it  is  highly  impor- 
tant for  their  endeavors  to  be  in  unison,  and  their  whole 
deportment  to  be  a  brilliant  copy  of  that  love  they  are  re- 
quired to  inculcate  upon  others.  There  is  a  captivating 
charm  emanating  from  a  band  of  brothers,  whose  hearts 
appear  unitedly  warmed  with  the  noblest  sentiments,  glow- 
ing with  the  purest  affection,  and  whose  individual  and 
combined  exertions  are  most  fervently  employed  in  propa- 
gating the  most  benevolent  of  systems.  Such  an  affecting 
harmony  in  sentiment,  design,  and  pursuit,  must  have  a 
strong  tendency  to  ennoble  their  exertions,  to  recommend 
the  cause  they  would  promote,  and  to  incline  many  to  es- 
pouse its  interest.  This  harmony  ought  ever  to  be  con- 
spicuous among  the  ambassadors  of  Christ.  They  ought 
not  only  to  be  cemented  in  heart-affection  and  fervent  af- 
fection, but  their. union  is  to  be  sealed  and  solemnized  by 
an  external  token,  significant  of  their  united  ingraftment 
into  the  love  of  Christ,  their  combined  engagement  to  pro- 
mote his  interest,  and  their  mutual  obligation  to  discharge 
reciprocal  offices  of  love,  counsel,  and  support,  in  the  ser- 
vice of  their  common  Master.  The  gospel  appellation  for 
this  token  is,  The  Rigid  Hand  of  Fellowship. 

As  you,  dear  brother,  have  now  been  publicly  enrolled 
among  the  ambassadors  of  Christ,  it  remains  to  seal,  and 
solemnize  our  union  with  you  by  this  apostolic  ceremony. 
Therefore,  in  the  name,  and  by  the  desire  of  the  venerable 
Council,  here  convened,  I  present  you  the  right  hand. 
By  this  friendly  token,  we  welcome  you  into  the  labors  of 
the  christian  vineyard ;  embrace  you  as  an  equal  partner 
with  us  in  the  dignities  of  the  pastoral  office ;  ratify  our 
union  with  you  in  the  love  and  fellowship  of  the  gospel. 


CLARKE'S  RIGHT   HAND   IN   1800.  181 

and  solemnly  announce  our  readiness  to  assist,  sympathise, 
and  rejoice  with  you  in  promoting  universal  love  and  piety. 
As  we  cheerfully  pledge  this  by  the  tender  of  our  right 
hand,  so  your  acceptance  of  it  is,  on  your  part,  a  public 
declaration  of  your  readiness  to  afford  us  equal  help,  as 
occasion  and  circumstances  require. 

The  cause  we  are  bound  to  promote  is,  that  of  love  to 
•God,  and  good  will  toward  man.  Though  this  work  be 
easy  and  pleasant  in  itself ;  yet,  through  the  hardness  of 
men's  hearts,  it  often  becomes  arduous,  difficult  and  dis- 
couraging. We  need  each  other's  aid,  counsel  and  sup- 
port. We  shall  do  well,  my  brother,  to  embrace  all  oppor- 
tunities to  strengthen  and  encourage,  comfort  and  enliven 
each  other,  while  laboring  through  this  vale  of  tears.  As 
a  friend,  I  advise  you,  as  a  brother,  I  entreat  you,  to  be 
wUe  as  a  serpent,  and  harmless  as  a  dove.  Open  the 
eagle-eye  of  caution  upon  all ;  carry  the  melting  tongue 
of  kindness  to  a!l ;  practically  display  the  unblamable 
image  of  holiness  before  all.  Let  the  fire  of  gospel  love 
and  piety  so  meliorate  and  inflame  your  heart,  that  all 
your  friends  may  catch  its  genial  warmth,  and  your  ene- 
mies, if  such  you  have,  may,  instead  of  opposing, be  melt- 
ed into  the  same  temper.  Go  forth,  my  brother,  and  the 
Lord  be  with  you. 

Brethren  of  the  Church,  We  extend  the  hand  of 
affection  to  you,  soliciting  your  help  and  support  for  this 
our  brother,  in  performing  the  important  duties  of  his  trust 
among  you.  It  is  much  in  your  power  to  soothe  his  cares, 
to  ease  the  burden  of  his  trials,  and  to  strengthen  him  in 
the  work  of  the  Lord. 

As  a  friend  and  neighbor,  deeply  interested  in  your 
christian  welfare,  I  would  press  my  friendly  entreaties,  that 
16 


182  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNT02T. 

you  would  ever  be  ready  to  encourage  him  by  expressions 
of  love  and  kindness  ;  to  animate  him  by  a  lively  attend- 
ance on  his  preaching  ;  to  magnify  his  office,  by  treating 
him  as  an  ambassador  of  God  ;  to  remember  him  with  the 
tenderest  affection  in  your  addresses  to  the  throne  of  grace, 
and  to  crown  his  ministerial  labors  by  a  peaceful  and  holy 
walk,  according  to  the  commands  and  ordinances  of  Christ. 
May  you  both  be  feelingly  alive  to  your  respective  duties, 
and  finally  receive  of  the  great  Shepherd,  an  unfading 
crown  of  everlasting  glory. 

Rev.  Asarelah  ML  Bridge  was  ordained  as  Mr  Clarke' s 
successor,  Jan.  27,  1836.  The  records  of  the  church  do 
not  inform  us  when  his  pastoral  relation  ceased. 

Rev.  William  P.  Tilden  was  ordained  to  the  pastoral 
charge  of  the  Society,  April  21st,  1841. 

Rev.  Frederic  Hinckley  succeeded  Mr.  Tilden  in  the 
pastoral  office  Oct.  1st,  1848. 

Rev.  George  F.  Clarke  was  Installed  Pastor  of  the 
church,  August  11,  1852,  and  is  still  in  office. 

The  Baptist  Church. 

The  original  organization  of  this  church  was  not  far 
from  1775.  They  erected  a  house  of  worship  not  in  Nor- 
ton, but  within  the  present  limits  of  Taunton,  in  the  north 
part  of  the  town,  where  they  continued  until  1835.  At 
that  time,  in  consequence  of  the  prevalence  of  other  views 
than  their  own  in  the  society,  a  portion  of  their  members 
withdrew  and  reorganized  at  the  house  of  one  of  the  breth- 
ren, and  have  ever  since  that  time  (Oct.  13,  1835)  main- 
tained separate  worship.  The  remnant  constitute  the  pres- 
ent Free  Will  Baptist  Church  in  North  Taunton.     The 


CHURCHES   OF  NORTON.  183 

members  present  at  the  reorganization  of  the  Church  in 
Norton,  were  thirteen,  as  follows  :  Caleb  Atherton,  Tisdale 
Godfrey,  Amos  Keith,  Beulah  E.  Lincoln,  Nancy  Lincoln, 
Hannah  Thayer,  Lydia  Thayer,  Patience  Lincoln,  Betsey 
Snow,  Stella  Keith,  Nancy  Austin,  Anna  Macomber,  Jo- 
anna Atherton. 

The  ministers  of  the  church  since  its  reorganization 
have  been  Rev.  Messrs.  Henry  C.  Cooms,  Nathan  Chap- 
man, Samuel  J.  Carr,  John  Holbrook,  J.  G.  Bowen,  Wil- 
liam Reed.  I  have  been  unable  to  learn  anything  of  its 
earlier  ministry.*  I  am  indebted  for  the  above  facts  to  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Holmes,  of  Norton. 

Congregational  Trinitarian  Church. 

This  Church  was  constituted  April  3,  1832,  and  con- 
sisted of  twenty-two  members,  viz  :  Nathan  Perry,  Leavit 
Bates,  Lysander  Makepeace,  Jesse  Blandin,  John  Patten, 
Sarah  Makepeace,  Phebe  Patten,  Lydia  Shepard,  Nancy 
M.  Patten,  Hannah  Bates,  Elizabeth  Briggs,  Rhoda  Loth- 

*  Rev.  Thomas  Goodwin,  a  native  of  Norton,  obtains  the  following 
facts  concerning  the  origin  of  this  church,  from  Mrs.  Hannah  Dean  of 
Fairhaven,  eldest  daughter  of  Timothy  Briggs,  second  deacon  of  the 
church : 

Elder  Goff  of  Dighton,  having  preached  in  Mansfield,  a  general  in- 
terest was  awakened,  and  large  numbers  received  baptism  by  immersion. 
He  was  assisted  and  followed  by  Preachers  Simmons  and  Ingle,  the  lat- 
ter quite  an  eloquent  man.  The  meetings  ceased  in  Mansfield,  and  a 
church  appears  to  have  been  formed  in  Taunton, near  Norton,  composed 
for  the  most  part  of  the  fruits  of  this  revival.  This  was  not  far  from 
a.  d.,  1778.  James  Briggs  was  the  first  deacon.  Rev.  William  Nelson 
was  the  first  minister  in  about  1779.  He  was  from  Middleboro',  and 
was  succeeded  in  the  oversight  of  the  church,  first  by  his  brother  Samuel, 
and  afterwards  by  another  brother  Ebenezer  Xelson,  whose  ministry  ex- 
tended down  to  about  1797.  CSee  Baker's  Ch.  Hist.,  and  Benedict's 
Hist,  of  the  Baptists.)  Rev.  Ebenezer  Nelson  has  a  son  Col.  Nathaniel 
Nelson,  residing  in  New-Bedford. 


184  THE   MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

rop,  Laban  M.  Wheaton,*  Eliza  B.  Wheaton,  Josiah  King, 
Clarissa  King,  Mason  Stone,  Abigail  M.  Stone,  Harriet 
Patten,  Polly  Good^Yin,  Allen  Tucker,  Emma  Field. 

Rev.  Spencer  F.  Beard  preached  from  the  organization 
of  the  church  in  1832,  till  1835,  but  was  never  settled. 

Rev.  Cyrus  W.  Allen  was  the  first  Pastor  of  the 
church.  Mr.  Allen  was  born  in  Taunton,  graduated  at 
Brown  University  in  1826,  and  previous  to  his  settlement 
in  Norton,  labored  in  the  West.  He  was  dismissed  March 
1,  1842,  and  is  at  present  settled  in  Coleraine,  of  this 
State. 

Rev.  Homer  Barrows  supplied  the  pulpit  a  year  or  two, 
after  Mr.  Allen's  dismission,  but  was  never  settled. 

Rev.  William  Barrows  was  the  second  Pastor.  He 
was  ordained  Sept.  4,  1845,  and  was  dismissed  June  4, 
1850.     Mr.  Barrows  is  now  the  minister  of  Grantville. 

Rev.  Franklin  Holmes,  the  third  and  present  Pastor, 
was  ordained  Sept.  15,  1852.  Mr.  Holmes  has  kindly 
furnished  the  above  statistical  notice  of  the  church. 

*  The  "  Wheaton  Female  Seminary,"  in  Norton,  was  founded  by- 
Judge  Wheaton,  father  of  Laban  M.  Wheaton,  and  a  distinguished  citi- 
zen of  the  place.  He  was  a  man  of  great  wealth,  -with  only  two  children, 
a  son  and  a  daughter.  The  daughter  married  Dr.  Strong  of  Boston, 
and  died  before  her  father.  The  loss  of  this,  his  only  daughter,  suggest- 
ed to  Judge  Wheaton,  the  idea  of  planting  a  School  for  Young  Ladies  in 
Norton,  making  it,  as  I  heard  him  once  remark,  "  the  child  of  his  adoption, 
in  the  place  of  his  departed  daughter."  He  liberally  endowed  it,  and  now 
for  nearly  twenty  years  it  has  existed  an  ornament,  an  honor,  and  a  bles- 
sing, not  only  to  Norton,  but  to  all  the  neighboring  towns.  The  only  child 
of  its  founder  has  not  forgotten  the  object  of  his  fathers  care,  as  a  recent 
liberal  donation  of  Ten  Thousand  dollars  abundantly  testifies.  There  has 
been  an  able  succession  of  Principals  of  the  School,  viz  :  Miss  Caldwell, 
now  Mrs.  Cowles  of  the  Ipswich  Seminary,  a  beloved  pupil  and  ardent 
admirer  of  the  widely  lamented  Miss  Lyon,  who  essentially  aided  Miss 
Caldwell  in  opening  the  School,  not  only  by  her  counsel,  but  by  her  per- 
sonal presence  ;  Miss  Knight,  now  the  wife  ot  Rev.  Mr.  Bean"  of  Little 
Compton,  B.I. ;  Miss  Vose.  now  the  wife  of  Rev.  Mr.  Emerson,  of 
South  Beading,  Mass.;  Miss  Sawyer,  a  member  of  the  family  of  Laban 
M.  Wheaton.  Esq.,  of  Norton;  Miss  Catc,  now  wife  of  Rev.  William 
Barrows,  of  Grantville,  Mass.;  and  the  present  Principal,  Mrs.  Caroline 
C.  Mctcalf. 


CHURCHES   OF   NORTON.  185 

The  WesJeyan  Methodist  Church. 

This  church  is  of  recent  origin.  It  was  organized  May 
3,  1850,  consisting  of  the  following  members:  Solomon 
P.  Snow,  minister ;  David  Cummings,  Joseph  Snow,  Al- 
bert S.  Tucker,  Jonathan  J.  Stanley,  Maria  J.  Snow,  Ros- 
elana  R.  Cummings,  Polly  Jones,  Nancy  Snow,  Abigail 
Tucker.  Rev.  Solomon  P.  Snow  has  officiated  as  Pastor 
from  the  organization  of  the  church  till  the  present  time. 
16* 


186  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

THE   CHURCHES   AND   MINISTRY   OF   DIGHTON. 

The  "  South  Purchase  "  was  made  of  Sachem  Philip, 
in  1672,  for  £143.*  An  Act  of  Incorp oration  was  not 
applied  for,  which  should  make  it  a  distinct  town,  until 
1712,  a  short  time  after  Norton  was  set  off.  The  name 
of  Dighton  was  selected  by  the  settlers,  as  is  supposed,  in 
honor  of  the  Dighton  family,  one  of  whom,  Frances,  was 
the  wife  of  Richard  "Williams,  principal  purchaser  and 
proprietor — not  only  of  the  original  Tetiquet  purchase, 
but  of  each  of  the  subsequent  purchases.  She  was  a  wo- 
man worthy  of  the  distinguished  honor  which  the  inhabi- 
tants of  that  part  of  the  town  nought  to  bestow  upon  her. 

The  registry  of  ecclesiastical  events  in  the  history  of 
Dighton  is  exceedingly  meagre,  as  the  brief  records  which 
our  fathers  left  have  perished,  and  there  is  nothing  save 
the  scantiest  gleaning  possible.  There  is  nothing  but  the 
most  uncertain  tradition  prior  to  1826.  Some  facts  are 
recollected  with  regard  to  the  original  church  of  the  town, 
and  through  the  kindness  of  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Newhall, 
temporary  supply,  have  been  transmitted  for  our  use. 

Rev.  Nathaniel  Fisher,  first  minister  of  the  town, 

received  his  call  to  settle  as  Pastor  in  the  South  Precinct 

of  Taunton,  in  June,  1710.     This  was  two  years  prior  to 

the  Incorporation  of  the  town.     Mr.  Fisher  was  settled  in 

*  Vide  1st  volume,  pp.  18  and  39. 


CHURCHES   OF  DIGHTON.  187 

Dighton  not  far  from  fifty  years.  It  is  a  mortifying  fact 
that  one  -who  for  so  long  a  time  was  the  only  minister  of 
the  town,  "  a  good  man  and  a  worthy  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel," as  all  transmitted  accounts  are  ready  to  pronounce 
him,  should  sleep  in  its  ancient  burial  place,  without  stone 
or  slab  to  mark  the  spot  of  his  repose,  and  with  no  other 
assurance  of  the  fact  of  his  burial,  but  the  memory  of  the 
aged,  and  the  proximity  of  the  remains  of  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren. Mr.  Reed,  who  transcribed  the  inscriptions  which  fol- 
low, was  informed  by  Mr.  Gushe,  whose  period  of  settle- 
ment in  the  town  now  nearly  equals  that  of  the  prob- 
able pastorate  of  his  predecessor,  that  there  never  was  the 
least  memorial  of  filial  or  parochial  regard  above  the  re- 
mains of  the  departed  minister.  Mr.  Fisher  was  a  grad- 
uate of  Harvard  University,  in  1706,  and  (according  to 
Mr.  Baylies,)  was  a  native  of  some  town  in  Norfolk  coun- 
ty in  this  State.  The  evidence  that  there  was  once  such 
a  minister  in  Dighton,  who  undertook  not  only  to  teach  the 
people  in  the  way  of  truth  and  holiness,  but  to  rear  a  fam- 
ily for  God,  is  in  the  grave-yard. 

"  Here  lieth  ye  body  of  Nathaniel,  ye  son  of  ye  Rev. 
Nathaniel  Fisher  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  died  Aug.  1, 
1728,  a^ed  3  vears. 

In  memory  of  Nathaniel,  ye  son  of  Rev.  Mr.  Nathaniel 
Fisher  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  died  Nov.  ye  2d,  1748,  in 
ye  loth  year  of  his  age. 

In  memory  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Fisher,  ye  wife  of  ye  Rev. 
Mr.  Nathaniel  Fisher,  who  died  Sept.  ye  23d,  Anno  Dom- 
ini 1765,  in  ye  70th  year  of  her  age." 

Rev.  John  Smith  was  the  successor*  of  Mr.  Fisher, 

*  In  an  article  on  the  churches  in  Bristol  county  in  the  Am.  Quart. 
Register  for  1839,  it  is  stated  "Mr.  Smith  was  settled  a  colleague  with 
Mr.  Fisher  about  the  rear  1772."     Also,  that  "  he  continued  in  the  min- 


188  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

and  the  second  Pastor  of  the  town.  Mr.  Baylies  pro- 
nounces him  a  native  of  Plainfield,  Ct.,  and  a  graduate  of 
Yale  College.*  He  was  probably  settled  in  Dighton  not 
far  from  thirty  years,  removing  thence  to  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  died.  The  only  memorial  of  him  which  I  have 
seen,  is  a  church  document  commending  George  Godfrey 
to  the  church  of  Christ  in  Taunton,  and  which  appears  to 
be  in  the  hand- writing  of  Mr.  Smith.     It  is  as  follows  : 

"  The  Church  of  Christ  of  Dighton  to  the  Church  of 
Christ  of  Taunton :  — Reverend  and  Beloved  :  wishing  you 
grace,  mercy  and  peace  from  God  our  Father,  and  from 
our  Lord  and  only  Savior,  through  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  We 
inform  you  that  on  application  made  to  us  by  George  God- 
frey, our  brother,  for  leave  to  remove  from  us,  and  become 
connected  with  you,  as  a  member  of  your  communion,  it  ia 
granted ;  and,  as  in  good  standing  with  us  and  as  worthy  to 
be  received  to  your  holy  care  and  fellowship,  he  is  recom- 
mended by  your  brethren  in  the  faith  and  patience  of  the 
kingdom  of  Christ. 

By  order  of  the  Church. 

John  Smith,  Pastor. 

Rev.  E.  Judson. 

To  be  communicated  to  the  Church,  Taunton." 

Rev.  William  Warren,  a  native  of  New-Ipswich,  N. 
H.,  and  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth  College,  in  1800,  suc- 
ceeded Mr.    Smith,  and  was  the  third  minister  of  this 

istry  till  Dec.  1801.  when  he  was  dismissed  from  his  pastoral  office ;  re- 
moving the  next  year  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  died."  This  last  state- 
ment is  substantiated  by  Mr.  Baylies,  a  native  of  Dighton. 

*  The  fact  of  the  graduation  is  derived  from  Mr.  Baylies.  There  was 
a  graduate  of  Yale  in  1763  bearing  that  name,  but  he  is  not  italicised  in 
"  Farmer's  list  of  graduates  "  as  a  clergyman.  During  Mr.  Smith's 
ministry,  Dr.  Ezra  Stiles,  afterwards  President  of  Yale  College,  driven 
from  Newport  by  the  invasion  of  the  British,  took  up  a  temporary  resi- 
dence in  Dighton,  and  occasionally  preached. 


i 


CHURCHES   OF  DIGHTON.  189 

Church  and  Society.  "  He  was  ordained  Pastor  of  the 
church,  in  the  year  1802,  under  the  most  favorable  cir- 
cumstances, and  prospects  of  usefulness.  He  was  uncom- 
monly popular ;  and  during  the  first  years  of  his  ministry 
he  seemed  to  be  blessed.  In  8  or  9  years  he  became  inat- 
tentive to  ministerial  duties,  subjected  himself  to  censures, 
practiced  medicine,  became  loose  in  his  morals,  removed 
to  Salem.  In  1820,  he  was  excommunicated  from  the 
church  in  Dighton."  It  is  supposed  the  records  of  the 
Church  were  destroyed  by  him.  The  influence  of  this 
man  and  his  ministry  were  baneful  in  the  extreme.  It  has 
not  ceased  to  be  felt  for  evil  to  this  day. 

In  1826,  Rev.  William  Torrey  labored  with  the  church 
and  people  for  a  few  weeks. 

Dec.  26,  1827,  Rev.  Preston  Cummings*  was  installed 
Pastor  of  the  church.     He  was  dismissed  in  Oct.  1835. 

In  1837,  Rev.  Jonathan  King  labored  for  a  time  with 
this  people. 

In  April,  1838,  Rev.  John  Shaw  commenced  his  labors 
as  stated  supply  and  acting  Pastor.  He  continued  till 
March,  1843. 

In  Jan.  1844,  Rev.  Joseph  H.  Bailey  was  ordained 
Pastor.  Nov.  9th,  of  the  same  year,  he  died,  much  la- 
mented. 

Rev.  George  Brown,  Rev.  Mr.  Newton,  Rev.  Wales 
Lewis  and  Rev.  B.  W.  Fuller,  have  been  since  that  time 
employed  as  stated  supplies. 

Second  Congregational  Society  in  Dighton, 

There  was  considerable  dissension  in  Dighton  the  latter 
part  of  the  last  century,  connected  with  the  location  of 

*  Rev.  Mr.  Cummings  has  recently  published  a  work  on  Congrega- 
tionalism, which  exhibits  much  research,  and  is  a  valuable  book  for  ref- 
erence on  that  subject. 


190  THE  MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

the  meeting-house.  Rev.  Mr.  Smith,  desiring  to  make 
peace  between  the  parties,  undertook  to  preach  in  both 
sections  of  the  town,  and  for  a  time  succeeded  in  prevent- 
ing a  division.  On  his  leaving  however,  a  permanent  sep- 
aration took  place,  and  when  Mr.  Warren  was  settled  in 
the  west  part  of  the  town,  where  the  "  Brick  meeting- 
house "  now  stands,  the  "Lower  Society,"  as  it  is  called, 
located  themselves  on  the  border  of  the  river,  and  invited 
to  settle  with  them  Rev.  Abraham  Gushe,  their  first  and 
present  minister.  Mr.  Gushe  is  a  native  of  Raynham,  a 
graduate  of  Brown  University,  in  1798,  and  was  ordained 
in  Dighton,  Sept.  23,  1803.  He  has  therefore  nearly 
completed  his  half  century  in  the  Pastoral  office  in  the 
same  place  —  a  rare  thing  in  these  days  of  frequent  remov- 
als. 

Calvinist  Baptist  Church  and  Society, 

There  is  a  Baptist  Society  in  Dighton,  on  the  borders 
of  Rehoboth,  which,  according  to  the  Minutes  of  the 
"  Taunton  Baptist  Association,"  was  constituted  in  1780, 
and  is  one  of  the  oldest*  in  the  region.  One  Elder  GofF,  a 
gifted  but  uneducated  man,  preached  there  more  than  half 
a  century  ago,  and  his  ministry  was  of  some  length. 

The  Calvinistic  portion  of  the  church  now  have  a  house, 
and  maintain  separate  worship  at  the  ' '  Lower  Four  Cor- 
ners," not  far  from  Mr.  Gushe's.  The  succession  of  Min- 
isters in  this  Church  either  branch  of  it  is  unknown  to 
me.     The  Calvinist  Church  arc  now  without  a  Pastor. 

*  The  oldest  is  located  in  Swanzey,  dating  back  as  far  as  1763.  The 
churches  in  North  Attleboro',  North  Taunton,  now  Norton,  Dighton, 
and  the  1st  in  Fall  River,  are  of  nearly  equal  antiquity.  The  Baptist 
Church  in  Seekonk  also  existed  prior  to  this  century. 


CHURCHES   OF  DIGHTON.  191 

Christian  Baptist  Church. 

This  portion  of  the  ancient  Baptist  Society  worship  in 
the  old  place  near  the  Dighton  and  Rehoboth  line. 

Second  Christian  Baptist  Church. 

This  Church  is  planted  in  the  north-east  part  of  Digh- 
ton, in  a  manufacturing  village,  called  North  Dighton,  and 
is  of  comparatively  recent  origin. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

This  is  located  in  North  Dighton,  and  has  existed  about 
twenty-five  years,  with  the  usual  change  in  that  denomina- 
tion of  ministerial  labor. 


192  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE   CHURCHES   AND   MINISTRY   OF   EASTON. 

If  our  supposition  with  regard  to  the  origin  of  the  name 
given  to  Taunton  North  Purchase,  at  the  time  of  its  in- 
corporation as  Norton  be  correct,  we  may  suppose  the 
same  idea  was  in  the  mind  of  the  settlers  of  the  easterly 
part  of  the  Purchase,  then  included  in  Norton,  when  in 
1725,  or  fourteen  years  after  the  incorporation  of  Norton, 
they  applied  for  a  charter,  and  gave  their  new  town  the 
name  of  Easton. 

The  earliest  "  Book  of  records  of  the  Church  of  Christ 
in  Easton,"  bears  date  "  October  10th,  Anno  Domini, 
1748."  The  church  was  organized  probably  many  years 
before,  but  precisely  how  long  we  do  not  certainly  know. 

Rev.  Matthew  Short  was  the  first  Pastor  in  Easton. 
This  is  the  only  statement  in  the  records  of  the  church 
concerning  him.  Mr.  Short  graduated  at  Harvard  Uni- 
versity in  1707,  and  was  the  first  minister  of  the  town  of 
Attleboro\  He  was  settled  there,  Nov.  12,  1712,  and 
was  dismissed  May  81,  1715.*  It  was  not  many  years 
probably  after  his  dismission,  that  he  was  installed  Pastor 
over  the  new  church  in  Easton.  He  closed  his  life  among 
the  people  of  his  pastoral  charge.  His  sepulchre  is  with 
them  to  this  day.     Rev.  William  Reed,  a  son  of  one  of 

*  Vide  Am.  Quart.  Register,  for  Nov.  1839. 


CHUKCHES    OF   EASTON.  193 

Mr.  Short's  successors,  has  furnished  me  with  the  inscrip- 
tion on  his  stone.* 

"In  memory  of  ye  Rev'd  Mr.  Matthew  Short.     De- 
ceased April  ye  16th,  1731,  in  ye  44th  year  of  his  age. 

The  sweet  remembrance  of  ye  Just, 
Shall  flourish  when  he  sleeps  in  dust." 

It  has  been  statedf  that  one Farrar,  officiated 

as  minister  for  a  time  after  Mr.  Short's  death,  and  was 
actually  installed,  but  nothing  is  known  of  him.  Follow- 
ing "  the  records,"  Rev.  Joseph  Belcher  is  to  be  consid- 
ered "  the  second  Pastor."  "  He  was  dismissed  from  tha 
Pastoral  office  Anno  Domini  1744."  The  traditional  ac- 
count is,  that  he  became  deranged,  and  died  a  lunatic. 
There  were  graduates  of  Harvard  University  bearing  his 
name,  in  the  years  1690  and  1723,  who  entered  the  min- 
istry. Which,  if  either,  was  the  minister  of  Easton,  is 
not  ascertained. 

Rev.  Solomon  Prentice,  "  son  of  Solomon,  born  in 
Cambridge,  May  11,  1705,"$  succeeded  Mr.  Belcher  in 
the  Pastoral  office.  He  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1727, 
and  was  installed  Pastor  in  Easton,  Nov.  18,  1747.  Rev. 
Messrs.  Leonard  of  Plymouth,  Goddard  and  Eaton  of  Lei- 
cester, Balch  of  Dedham,  Porter  of  Bridge  water,  and  Crock 
er  of  Taunton  were  present  and  took  part  in  the  services  of 

*  At  the  same  time  he  sent  me  the  epitaph  on  the  monument  of  anoth- 
er minister,  of  an  earlier  date,  but  whether  he  officiated  in  Easton  or 
elsewhere  I  am  unable  to  say.     The  following  is  a  fac-simile  : 
"HERE-LISE-THE-BoDY- 
oE-ELDER-  WILLIAM  - 
PRATT  -AGED  -  5  4-  DIED 
IN-THE-YEA-  17  13-1  ANY  ART- 
THE-13-" 
t  See  Quart.  Register,  already  quoted. 
t  Ms.  letter  of  Rev.  Mr.  Blake. 

17 


194  THE   MINISTRY   OP   TAUNTON. 

Installation.  He  had  been  previously  settled  in  Grafton,* 
where  he  was  ordained  Dec.  29,  1731,  and  dismissed  July 
10,  1747,  four  months  prior  to  his  Installation  in  Easton. 
It  was  the  same  year  with  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Prentice, 
that  the  Church  perceiving  that  there  was  no  Covenant  to 
be  found,f  thought  it  expedient  to  procure  one  agreeable 
to  the  Scripture,  and  sign  and  subject  themselves  unto  it, 
which  accordingly  they  did,  and  it  is  as  follows  : 

EASTON  CHURCH   COVENANT. 

We,  the  Subscribers,  Members  of  the  Church  of  Christ 
in  Easton,  mett  together  the  Sixth  day  of  April  A.  Domi- 
ni 1747,  Apprehending  itt  our  duty  under  our  present  cir- 
cumstances, solemnly  and  explicitly  to  renew  our  covenant 
with  God,  Do  therefore  personally  present  ourselves  this 
day  in  the  holy  presence  of  God,  to  transact  with  him  this 
important  affair  of  His  Kingdom  and  Glory ;  and  humbling 
ourselves  before  the  Lord  for  all  our  sins,  and  the  sins  of 
ours,  earnestly  praying  for  pardoning  Mercy  and  Reconcil- 
iation with  God,  through  the  Blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus,  and 
for  the  Gracious  Presence  and  assistance  of  His  Holy 
Spirit,  under  a  deep  sense  of  our  own  weakness,  and  un- 
worthy ness,  and  with  an  Humble  Confidence  of  His  favor- 

*  He  received  his  call  in  Grafton,  June  24, 1731,  on  "£90  passable 
money,  or  bills  of  credit,  as  money  now  passes  from  man  to  man,  or  as 
the  valuation  of  money  shall  be  from  time  to  time,  or  as  said  money  ris- 
es and  falls."  £10  were  afterwards  added.  (Willson's  Century  Ser- 
mon of  Grafton  —  pub.  1 847.     Worcester.) 

t  Mr.  Belcher,  in  his  insanity,  either  destroyed  or  carried  away  the 
church  covenant  and  records  —  as  appears  from  the  following  church 
action :  '"  Proposed  to  know  who  were  members  of  the  church  of  Christ 
in  this  town ;  and  in  order  hereunto,  it  was  proposed  to  choose  a  com- 
mittee to  wait  upon  Mr.  Belcher,  late  Pastor  in  this  place,  to  know 
of  him  whether  there  were  in  his  hands,  or  whether  he  knew  anything 
of  a  covenant  this  church  had  submitted  unto,  and  to  intreat  him,  if  he 
had  anv,  to  deliver  it  np  to  said  committee,  as  also  any  other  records  he 
had  in  his  hands,  that  belonged  or  related  to  this  church."  It  is  suppos- 
ed the  application  was  fruitless. 


COVENANT   OF   EASTON  IN    1747.  195 

able  acceptation  :  Each  of  us  for  ourselves,  and  all  of  us 
jointly  together,  do  renewedly  enter  into  Covenant  vrith 
God,  and  one  vrith  another,  hi  the  terms  following,  that  is 
to  say, 

First  of  all,  We  do  avouch  the  Lord  Jehovah,  Father, 
Son,  and  Holy  Ghost  for  our  Portion,  and  Chiefe  Good, 
and  give  up  ourselves,  Body  and  Soul  to  Him,  to  be  His 
Servants,  promising  by  His  aid  and  assistance,  to  love  Him, 
fear  Him,  trust  in  Him,  and  yield  obedience  to  Him,  in  all 
things,  all  ye  days  of  our  Lives. 

2dly.  Whereas  the  Son  of  God  in  our  nature  is  Exalted 
as  a  Prince  and  a  Savior,  the  only  Mediator  of  ye  New 
Covenant,  and  Means  of  coming  unto  God,  We  do  there- 
fore through  Grace,  accept  of  Him,  according  to  ye  Ten- 
nor  of  ye  Gospel  offer,  that  is  to  say,  as  the  Prophet,  Priest 
and  King  of  our  Immortal  souls,  purposing  and  promising 
to  attend  His  teachings  by  His  Word  and  Spirit  —  to  lean 
on  His  Merrit  and  Intercession  with  the  Father,  as  the 
only  way  for  ye  obtainment  of  ye  pardon  of  our  sins,  the 
favour  of  God,  and  continuance  therein ;  and  finally  the 
subduing  all  our  Enemies,  and  working  all  His  works  in  us 
and  for  us. 

3d.  Whereas  there  are  different  apprehensions  among 
those  that  profess  Christianity,  with  respect  to  ye  Doctrine 
of  Religion  :  We  do  declare  our  consent  and  adherence 
to  the  Westminster  Assembly's  Shorter  Catechism,  appre- 
hending in  our  Judgment  and  Conscience  that  it  is  agree- 
able to  the  Word  of  God. 

4th.  Whereas  God  has  promised  to  be  a  God  unto  His 
People,  and  their  Children  after  them,  We  do  therefore 
dedicate  our  children  to  the  service  of  God  hi  Jesus  Christ, 
promising  that  we  will  seasonably  bring  those  of  them  that 


196  THE    MINISTRY    OF   TAUNTON. 

are  unbaptized  to  Jesus  Christ  in  the  Ordinance  of  Bap- 
tism, and  as  they  grow  into  years  of  understanding,  in- 
struct them  in  ye  Nature,  use  and  End,  of  that  ordinance, 
and  into  the  Principles  of  ye  Christian  Religion,  (so  far  as 
need  is  ;)  That  -we  will  sett  good  Examples  of  Righteous- 
ness, Piety,  and  Sobriety  before  them  —  Restrain  them  as 
we  are  able,  from  being  carried  away  with  ye  Temptations 
of  their  age  and  time  ;  Endeavoring  that  they  may  be  pre- 
pared for  the  enjoyment  of  Christ  in  all  His  Ordinances  ; 
and,  finally,  be  much  in  prayer  to  God  for  their  Conver- 
sion and  Salvation. 

5th.  We  promise  that  we  will  (by  the  help  of  God) 
avoid  all  ye  Superstitions  and  Inventions  of  men  in  the 
Worship  of  God,  as  Derogatory  from  the  Sovereignty  and 
Wisdom  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Supream  Head  of 
His  Church  ;  that  we  will  not  scandalously  absent  ourselves 
from  any  part  of  Instituted  Worship  :  Do  what  in  us  lies 
to  prepare  ourselves  for  upholding  and  improving  all  the 
Ordinances  of  Christ,  to  the  spiritual  benefit  and  advan- 
tage of  our  souls — Leaning  upon  the  promise,  that  God 
will  meet  those  that  Rejoyce  in,  and  Work  Righteousness, 
and  Remember  Him  in  His  Ways. 

6th.  We  promise  (by  the  help  of  God)  that  we  will, 
with  as  much  frequency  as  may  be,  Read,  or  cause  ye 
Word  of  God  to  be  Read  in  our  Houses  or  families,  that 
so  the  Word  of  God  may  dwell  rightly  within  us  ;  Season- 
ably and  Constantly  upholding  the  Worship  of  God  there, 
and  attending  the  same  with  sincerity  and  affection. 

7th.  Whereas  we  have  given  up  Ourselves  to  ye  Lord 
and  to  one  another,  in  the  Lord,  We  purpose  and  promise, 
that  we  will  live  together  in  holy  fellowship  and  all  holy 
watchfulness  over  each  other,  to  the  prevention  off,  or  re- 


COVENANT   OP  EASTON  IN    1747.  197 

covery  from  any  Scandalous  Evils  that  through  ye  temp- 
tations of  Satan,  or  corruptions  of  our  own  heart,  we  may 
at  any  time  be  overtaken  with  — That  we  will  be  as  speedy 
as  may  be,  in  making  up  any  difference  that  may  arise,  in 
some  Orderly  way ;  Endeavoring  also  the  temporal  and 
spiritual  good  of  one  another. 

8  th.  We  promise  that  (by  the  help  of  God)  we  will 
have  respect  unto  all  the  Duties  enjoined  in  the  2d  Table, 
as  being  necessary  Parts  of  a  right  ordered  Conversation ; 
Particularly  be  true  and  faithful  to  all  our  Civil  Contracts 
and  agreements  with  one  another,  and  with  all  men  we 
may  have  to  do  with,  that  so  none  may  have  occasion  to 
speak  evil  of  our  Profession. 

9th,  and  finally,  where  as  there  is  a  strong  Propensity  in 
our  Natures  to  do  what  is  evil,  and  sinful,  we  purpose  and 
promise,  that  (by  the  help  of  God's  Spirit)  We  will  keep 
our  hearts,  and  Mortifie  those  Lusts  that  dwell  in  us ; 
Avoiding  all  such  temptations  as  our  sinful  hearts  are  wont 
to  be  drawn  aside  withall ;  and  that  we  may  keep  this 
Covenant  Inviolable  forever  in  all  the  Branches  of  itt,  We 
desire  to  deny  Ourselves,  not  trusting  in  our  own  Wisdom 
or  Strength,  humbly  and  believingly  Depending  upon  God, 
in  and  through  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  presence  of  His  Holy 
Spirit  with  us,  and  where  we  come  short,  there  to  wait  on 
Him  for  pardon,  and  healing  for  His  Name's  sake. 

(Signed)  Solomon  Prentice,*  Pastor  ;  Thomas  Randall, 
Ephraim  Randall,  Israel  Randall,  Edward  Hayward,  Jo- 
seph Crossman,  Seth  Babbitt,  John  Phillips,  Jr.,  Thomas 
Pratt,  Joseph  Drake,  Eliphalet  Leonard,  Thomas  Allger, 
Benj.  Drake,  John  Selle,  Nath.  Allger,  Joshua  Phillips, 

*  Mr.  Prentice  probably  signed  it  after  his  Installation.  It  was  en- 
tered into  by  the  brethren  several  months  before, 

17' 


198  THE   MINISTRY   OP   TACNTOX. 

Jamas  Pratt,  Samuel  Phillips,  Robert  Randall,  Solomon 
Hewitt,  George  Kevzar,  Benajah  Smith,  Nath.  Perry, 
James  Stacy,  Samuel  Randall,  Thomas  Drake,  Samuel 
Drake,  James  Pratt,  Jr.,  John  Whitman,  Jr.,  Jos.  Cross- 
man,  Jr.,  Jonathan  Lothrop,  John  Drake,  Jr.,  Abraham 
Drake,  Mathew  Hayward,  Ebenezer  Phillips,  Wetherell 
Wittum,  Thos.  Randall,  Jr.,  Israel  Randall,  Jr.,  Josiah 
Perry,  Joseph  Randall,  James  Dean,  John  Kinsley,  Sam. 
Phillips,  Jr.,  Ebenezer  Ames,  David  Newland,  John  Drake, 
Henry  Howard,  Benj.  Pettingill,  Samuel  Briggs,  Daniel 
Niles.     Presbyterians  admitted  :  William  Pratt,  Jr. 

"  The  names  of  the  women,  members  of  the  church  of 
Christ  in  Easton  follow."  Of  these  there  are  sixty  re- 
corded. 

The  ministry  of  Mr.  Prentice  was  far  from  peaceful. 
There  were  two  parties  in  the  church,  one  of  them  under 
the  direction  of  the  Pastor,  and  the  other  following  the 
lead  of  Edward  Hayward,  Esq.  A  Council  was  called,  in 
1752,  which,  in  their  Result,  reprove  both  parties,  but  fail 
of  healing  the  difficulties.  "  The  Council  sat  two  days, 
hearing  the  parties,  and  drew  up  a  long  Result,  in  which,' ' 
according  to  the  Records,  "  not  a  word  was  said  upon,  or 
about  the  main,  yea,  only  thing  for  which  they  were  sent 
to,  but  blaming  each  party  in  some  things,  remote  from  the 
main  business,  upon  the  whole  advised,  that  we  all  speedily 
meet  together,  to  appoint  a  day  for  solemn  Fasting  and 
Prayer,  on  account  of  ye  many  sins  committed  in  this  day 
of  temptation,  and  send  for  some  neighboring  ministers  to 
assist  in  the  solemnities  thereof,  and  to  proceed  on  said 
day,  solemnly  to  renew  the  covenant  the  church  came  into 
previous  to  Mr.  Prentice's  Installment  among  them,  pre- 
paratory to  their  attending  the  Lord's  Supper  together. 


SOLOMON    PRENTICE.  199 

which  Result  being  left  ye  Council  adjourned  (Sine  die) 
and  went  off." 

They  certainly  left  very  good  advice  to  a  divided,  dis- 
turbed church.  The  Result  was  adopted  by  the  church, 
and  "  June  12th  was  appointed  to  be  the  Day  of  said  so- 
lemnities," which  Rev.  Messrs.  Porter,  Crocker  and  Dodge 
were  invited  to  attend.  The  day  came  and  passed  away 
without  any  permanent  advantage. 

Mr.  Prentice,  thinking  the  source  of  their  continued 
difficulties  was  in  their  form  of  church  government,  advis- 
ed a  change,  and  a  majority  of  the  church  voted  to  attach 
themselves  to  a  Presbytery ;  but  this  worked  no  better, 
and  at  length,  the  Presbytery  at  a  session  in  Easton,  Nov. 
12,  1754,  judged  Mr.  Prentice  unqualified  for  "  the  office 
of  a  Bishop ;"  and  gave  him  a  temporary  discharge  from 
Pastoral  labor. 

All  that  we  know  about  it,  is  left  on  the  Book  of  Records 
in  the  handwriting  of  the  misguided,  yet  sincere,  truly  af- 
flicted minister,*  in  these  words :  "  Because  I  had  received 
a  few  of  my  fellow  creatures  (and  fellow  christians,  so  far 
as  I  knew)  into  my  house,  and  suffered  them  to  pray  and 
talk  about  the  Scriptures,  and  could  not  make  any  acknowl- 
edgement therefor,  to  some  of  my  Brethren  who  were  of- 
fended thereatt,  nor  to  the  Presbytery,  Voted,  that  he,  the 
said  S.  Prentice  be  suspended  from  the  discharge  of  the 
public  ministry,  until  the  Presbytery  meet  again  next  April. 
Because  by  said  vote  I  was  deprived  of  the  small  subsis- 
tence I  had  among  my  people  in  Easton,  I  thought  it  nec- 

*  Rev.  Mr.  Blake  of  Mansfield,  who  is  preparing  a  history  of  the 
Mendon  Association,  the  oldest  in  the  State,  and  has  had  occasion  to 
examine  its  papers,  remarks  concerning  Prentice  :  "  he  seems  to  have 
been  a  kind  of  '  New  Light."  Have  documents  about  him  in  our  Asso- 
ciational  papers,  cfrsfellowshipping  him.    A  heap  of  items." 


200  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

essary  for  the  Honour  of  God,  and  good  of  my  family,  to 
remove  to  Grafton,  which  accordingly  was  done,  April  9th, 
1755.  N.B.  —  I  have  never  heard  a  word  from  the  Pres- 
bytery, neither  by  letter,  nor  otherwise,  nor  they  from  me, 
from  the  day  of  my  suspension  to  this  day,  viz :  Sept.  5, 
1755."  Mr.  Prentice  died  in  Grafton,  May  22, 1773, 
aged  sixty-eight.* 

Kev.  Archibald  Campbell,  son  of  the  minister  of  Ox- 
ford, and  a  graduate  of  Cambridge  in  1761,  succeeded 
Mr.  Prentice  as  Pastor  of  the  Church  in  Easton.  He 
was  ordained,  Aug.  17,  1763,  and  remained  in  office  until 
July  31,1782,1  for  a  period  of  nineteen  years. 

Kev.  William  Reed  succeeded  Mr.  Campbell.  I  have 
received  the  following  sketch  of  Mr.  Reed's  personal  his- 
tory and  ministry  from  his  son,  Rev.  David  Reed : 

"  Rev.  "William  Reed,  of  Easton  was  the  son  of  William 
Reed  %  and  Silence  Nash  of  Abington,  in  Plymouth  county, 
Mass.  He  was  born  on  the  8th  of  June,  1755.§  His 
boyhoood  and  youth  were  spent  in  the  usual  engagements 
and  labors  of  New-England  farmers'  sons  of  that  day. 
Having  enjoyed  during  this  period  the  advantages  of  a 
religious  home,  he  became  early  established  in  christian 
principles  and  exemplary  habits  of  life.  At  about  the  age 
of  nineteen  so  strong  and  decided  was  his  interest  in  re- 
ligious subjects,  that  he  expressed  to  his  parents  the  desire 
to  obtain  a  collegiate  education  with  a  view  to  the  ministry, 

*  Mr.  Blake's  ms.  Letter. 

t  The  Am.  Quart.  Register  gives  a  later  date,  but  I  follow  tlie  church 
records. 

|  He  was  the  son  of  Jacob  Reed  of  Abington,  who  was  the  son  of  Wil- 
liam Reed  of  Weymouth,  who  was  the  son  of  William  Reed,  who  came 
from  England  and  settled  in  Weymouth  about  the  year  1634. 

§  It  was  Sabbath  morning,  and  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  he 
was  carried  two  miles  on  horseback  to  be  baptized. 


WILLIAM   REED.  201 


having  had  thus  far  no  other  advantages  of  instruction,  than 
those  furnished  in  the  then  very  imperfect  winter  schools 
of  his  native  town.  But  domestic  circumstances  prevent- 
ed his  entering  on  his  preparatory  studies  till  the  age  of 
twenty-one.  At  that  time,  June,  1776,  (having  still  the 
settled  purpose  of  eventually  preparing  for  the  ministry,) 
he  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  the  American  army  then  station- 
ed at  Roxbury,  in  the  siege  of  Boston. 

At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  enlistment,  having  re- 
alized enough  from  his  wages  to  procure  the  necessary 
books,  he  commenced  his  studies  preparatory  for  college, 
with  Rev.  Solomon  Reed,  of  Titicut  parish,  Middleboro'. 
He  entered  Cambridge  college  in  1778,  was  graduat- 
ed in  1782,  and  entered  at  once  on  the  study  of  Divinity 
with  his  old  teacher  and  relative,  Rev.  Mr.  Reed,  of  Titicut. 

The  term  of  preparation,  at  that  time,  was  much  less 
than  at  present.  Having  arrived  at  manhood  before  he 
entered  college,  and  having  chosen  his  course  of  reading, 
during  his  collegiate  life  with  reference  to  his  intended  pro- 
fession, he  devoted  but  a  single  year,  after  leaving  college, 
to  the  studies  preparatory  to  the  ministry. 

Mr.  Reed  commenced  preaching  in  the  autumn  of  1783. 
After  officiating  with  acceptance  in  several  vacant  parishes, 
he  was  invited  to  settle  as  pastor  of  the  Congregational 
church  and  Society  in  Easton,  and  was  ordained  on  the 
21st  of  April,  1784.* 

*  On  the  20th  of  May  following,  Mr.  Reed  was  married  to  Miss  Olive 
Pool,  —  then  at  the  age  of  seventeen  —  third  daughter  of  Samuel  Pool 
and  Ruth  Fullerton,  of  Bridgewater.  The  children  from  this  connec- 
tion wore  seven  sons  and  two  daughters,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
The  seven  sons  and  one  daughter  are  still  living. 

After  the  death  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Reed  remained  in  widowhood 
amongst  her  husband's  people,  upwards  of  forty  years,  beloved  and  res- 
pected for  her  peace-loving  spirit,  her  gentleness'and  sweetness  of  tem- 
per, and  her  consistent  and  exemplary  christian  life.     She  died  on  the 


202  THE   MINISTRY   OP  TAUXTON. 

The  ministry  of  Mr.  Reed  may  be  truly  called  a  suc- 
cessful one.  Though  not  distinguised  by  instances  of  ex- 
traordinary religious  excitement,  yet,  considering  its  limit- 
ed duration,  —  only  about  twenty-five  years  —  it  proved 
the  most  important  instrument,  apparently,  of  a  remarka- 
ble reformation  in  the  moral  character  of  the  town,  whose 
reputation,  in  most  of  the  neighboring  region,  had  for 
years  previously  been  very  low.  The  staid  and  religious 
character  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  town,  with  some  hon- 
orable exceptions,  had  not  been  generally  maintained  by 
their  descendants,  many  of  whom  fell  into  the  vices  then 
common  to  new  settlements.  And  these  moral  dangers 
and  tendencies  had  been  aggravated  in  this  place  probably, 
and  the  tone  of  society  and  morals  disturbed  and  injured, 
by  the  fact  that  the  two  preceding  ministries  had  been  far 
from  peaceful  and  profitable.  There  was  room  then,  as 
well  as  a  loud  call,  for  reform.  And  it  was  accomplished, 
as  became  manifest  to  all  observers,  so  that  at  the  time  of 
Mr.  Reed's  decease,  Nov.  16,  1809,  (at  the  age  of  fifty- 
four,)  the  reputation  of  the  town,  as  to  its  maintenance  of 
order  and  exemplary  morals,  stood  on  a  full  equality  with 
its  neighbors. 

This  reform,  however,  aided  under  Providence.,  by  the 
increase  of  knowledge  and  the  general  progress  of  society, 
was  effected  not  suddenly  and  with  noise,  but  gradually 
and  quietly  as  the  natural  result,  so  far  as  his  influence 
was  felt,  of  a  faithful  devotion  to  his  duties  as  a  preacher 
and  pastor,  enforcing  all  by  his  own  steady  and  pure  chris- 
tian example. 

26th  of  March,  1850,  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  ;  and  her  eight  surviving 
children,  from  distant  locations,  all  in  health,  and  at  the  average  age  of 
fifty-four,  after  thirty-live  years  separation  gathered  around  her  hier  at 
the  old  homestead,  to  mingle  their  tears  and  prayers,  and  to  lay  her  pre- 
cious dust  by  the  side  of  that  of  their  honored  and  lamented  father. 


, 


WILLIAM   REED.  203 


As  a  preacher,  Mr.  Reed  was  principally  distinguished 
for  great  plainness  and  simplicity  of  statement,  and  direct- 
ness of  address.  Though  not  deficient  in  logical  power, 
the  strong  hold  which  he  generally  obtained  of  the  atten- 
tion of  his  hearers,  was  much  less  frequently  the  result  of 
dispassioned  argument,  than  of  his  greatly  earnest  and 
home-thrusting  appeals  to  the  heart.  In  the  construction 
of  his  sermons,  contrary  to  the  somewhat  prevalent  cus- 
tom of  some  of  his  contemporaries,  he  scrupulously  avoid- 
ed all  startling,  paradoxical  statements  and  niceties 
of  metaphysical  discussion,  as  worse  than  unprofitable,  and 
tending  rather  to  bewilder  than  to  guide ;  whilst  on  the 
other  hand  he  aimed  and  labored  with  apostolic  zeal  by 
plainness  of  speech  and  direct  personal  appeal  to  enforco 
the  duties  of  devotion  and  practical  righteousness. 

Such  a  ministry,  comparatively  short  as  it  was,  could 
not  be  without  marked  effect  on  the  religious  and  devotion- 
al as  well  as  the  moral  character  of  the  people.  And, 
happily  at  the  close  of  his  ministry  its  influence  seemed  to 
be  set  home  and  sealed  in  the  minds  of  both  old  and  young 
by  the  event  of  his  death.  Respected  and  beloved  as  he 
was  by  his  people,  and  cut  off  in  the  midst  of  his  useful- 
ness, that  event  left  on  their  minds  a  general  seriousness, 
and  a  more  than  ordinary  susceptibility  of  religious  im- 
pressions ;  a  well  prepared  soil  in  which  it  may  be  hoped 
the  seed  before  and  after  sown  has,  through  the  divine 
influence,  often  been  ripened,  and  for  long  generations  to 
come  is  to  be  ripening  into  fruit  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven.' ' 

William  Reed,  Esq.,  another  son  of  the  minister  of  Eas- 
ton,  has  furnished  me  with  a  MS.  Sermon,  No.  250,  which 
is  probably  a  fair  specimen  of  his  father's  style  of  sermoniz- 
ing.    It  is  inserted  entire. 


204  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

SERMON  BY  REV.  WILLIAM  REED,  OF  EASTON 
IN  1784. 

Jonah  i.  6. 

What  meanest  thou,  0  sleeper?  arise,  call  upon  thy  God. 

WE  shall  now  proceed  in  our  subject  by  making  some 
observations  upon  the  sinner's  arising  and  calling  upon 
his  God. 

Sinners,  although  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins  in  a  moral 
view,  yet  they  have  natural  life,  and  natural  powers  and 
faculties,  and  are  capable  of  hearing  and  receiving  in- 
struction in  the  great  things  of  religion. 

They  are  capable  of  reflecting  upon  themselves,  upon 
death,  Judgment  and  their  connexion  with  eternity,  and 
they  are  capable  of  calling  upon  God  for  pardon  and  sal- 
vation. 

I  don't  know  that  any  body  disputes,  or  disbelieves 
this.  If  they  do,  I  appeal  to  every  child  of  God  in  this 
house  and  ask  whether  they  did  not  reflect  upon  themselves, 
upon  their  dangerous  situation  by  nature,  and  cry  to  God 
for  mercy,  before  they  ever  tasted  the  love  of  Christ,  or 
were  reconciled  to  God  in  the  spirit  and  temper  of  their 
minds.  And  I  presume  they  will  all  answer  and  say  they 
did. 

God  commonly  works  by  means,  both  in  the  Kingdom 
of  nature  and  the  Kingdom  of  grace.  He  gives  us  the 
things  that  are  necessary  for  our  subsistence  here  by 
means.  He  causes  the  Sun  to  shine  and  the  rain  to  de- 
scend to  warm  and  water  the  earth,  to  make  it  fruitful 
and  bring  forth  food  and  raiment  for  man  ;  and  our  labour 


reed's  seemon  in  1784.  205 

is  required  and  necessary  to  prepare  it  for  use.  It  is 
true  is  comes  from  God,  it  is  his  gracious  gift,  but  it  is 
given  in  his  own  way,  the  way  of  his  own  appointment. 

The  Savior  when  on  earth  saw  fit  to  use  means  in  pro- 
ducing a  miracle,  which  he  could  easily  have  accomplished 
with  a  word's  speaking.  When  he  was  about  to  open  the 
eyes  of  a  man  that  was  born  blind,  he  spat  on  the  ground 
and  made  clay  of  the  spittle,  and  he  anointed  the  eyes  of 
the  blind  man  with  the  clay,  and  said  unto  him,  Go  wash 
in  the  pool  of  Siloam,  wThich  is  by  interpretation  Sent ;  he 
went  his  way  therefore  and  washed,  and  came  seeing — 
John  ix.  6,  7. 

So  in  the  kingdom  of  grace,  God  works  by  means.  In 
the  great  work  of  regeneration  He  uses  means,  to  open 
the  eyes  of  the  mind  and  bring  dead  sinners  to  spiritual 
life.  He  makes  use  of  his  written  word  and  a  preached 
gospel ;  he  also  makes  use  of  his  providences  to  awaken 
and  call  up  the  attention  of  sinners. 

God  not  only  uses  means,  but  also  requires  sinners  to 
be  in  the  diligent  use  of  those  means  that  he  hath  put  into 
their  hands  for  that  purpose. 

Can  any  body  suppose,  when  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
anointed  the  eyes  of  the  blind  man  with  clay,  and  told  him 
to  go  and  wash  in  the  pool  of  Siloam,  that  he  would  have 
received  his  sight  if  he  had  not  gone  and  washed  accord- 
ing to  the  direction  ? 

I  can't  see  what  reason  there  is  to  suppose  that  he 
would. 

Now  God  tells  sinners  to  search  the  Scriptures.  He 
also  tell3  them  to  seek  the  Lord  while  he  may  be  found,  to 
call  upon  him  while  he  is  near,  to  ask  and  they  shall  re- 
ceive, to  see  and  they  shall  find,  to  knock  and  it  shall  be 
18 


200  TIIE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

opened  to  them.  Now  can  a  sinner  have  any  reason  to 
hope  or  expect  that  his  spiritual  eyes  will  be  opened,  unless 
he  attends  to  and  follows  those  directions,  any  more  than 
the  blind  man  had  that  his  natural  eyes  would  be  opened 
without  going  and  washing  in  the  pool  according  to  the 
direction  of  our  Saviour  ? 

It  is  true  that  when  the  sinner  has  done  all  that  God 
requires  of  him,  he  is  an  unprofitable  servant,  and  must  be 
saved,  if  ever  he  is  saved,  by  rich,  free,  sovereign  grace. 
But  this  is  the  way  in  which  God  sees  fit  to  prepare  the 
sinner  to  receive  this  grace.  What  meanest  thou,  0  sleep- 
er ?  arise,  attend  to  those  things  and  call  upon  God.  What 
is  meant  by  calling  upon  God,  is  Prayer.  The  Idea  is 
arise  and  Pray. 

Much  is  implied  in  the  Idea  of  calling  upon  God,  or  in 
Prayer. 

Prayer  to  God  implies  that  the  person  believes  there  is 
a  God,  a  God  that  can  hear  and  has  power  to  grant  the 
thing  asked  for. 

It  also  implies  some  sense  of  obligation,  and  a  sense  of 
need.  Persons  never  pray  to  God  or  ask  his  help  unless 
they  feel  some  need  of  it. 

We  hear  nothing  about  the  mariners,  that  were  in  the 
ship  with  the  Prophet  praying  till  they  saw  their  danger. 
When  they  saw  that  they  were  like  to  be  swallowed  up  by 
the  raging  waves  and  perish  in  the  Sea,  they  cry  every 
man  to  his  God.  So  it  is  with  an  awakened  sinner,  when 
his  eyes  are  opened  to  see  that  he  is  in  a  perishing  condition, 
liable  every  moment  to  be  swallowed  up  in  the  sea  of  God's 
wrath;  he  will  cry  to  God  to  have  mercy  on  him.  And 
the  sinner  under  the  light  of  the  Gospel  has  infinitely 
higher  reason  to  hope  that  he  shall  be  heard  and  answered 


reed's  sermon  in  1784.  207 

than  the  mariners  had,  for  we  know  not  that  they  had  any 
knowledge  of  God  but  from  the  light  of  nature  ;  but  the 
sinner  under  the  light  of  the  gospel  has  a  clear  revelation 
of  the  mind  and  will  and  character  of  God.  From  the 
gospel  the  sinner  has  the  most  encouraging  invitations  to 
pray,  yea,  the  most  positive  command  to  pray. 

Pray  without  ceasing,  pray  always,  pray  with  all  prayer 
Js  the  language  of  God  to  us  in  his  word* 

God  hath  prepared  the  way  for  our  approach  to  him  by 
the  gift  of  his  only  begotten  and  well  beloved  Son. 
He  was  once  in  our  world  despised  and  rejected  of  men,  a 
man  of  sorrow  and  acquainted  with  grief,  but  is  now  exalt- 
ed at  God's  right  hand  to  intercede  for  us,  and  present 
our  supplications  and  prayers  before  his  Father's  throne. 

Through  him  God  can  consistently  with  himself  and  all 
his  perfections  hear  our  prayers  and  communicate  his  grace 
and  salvation  to  us.  The  arms  of  divine  mercy  are  open- 
ed to  receive  every  repenting,  returning  sinner. 

And  the  storm  of  God's  wrath  is  gathering  over  the 
head  of  every  sinner  that  continues  in  his  state  of  rebel- 
lion against  his  King  and  Judge. 

Every  sinner  that  has  not  fled  to  Jesus,  the  city  of  ref- 
uge, is  under  the  wrath  of  an  incensed  God. 

It  seems  that  some  in  this  place  of  late  have  been  made 
sensible  of  this  their  situation,  and  have  waked  up  from 
their  security  in  sin,  under  the  influence  of  the  Divine 
Spirit,  and  have  called  upon  God  for  his  pardoning  mercy, 
and  we  hope  are  still  daily  crying  to  him  for  help.  Let 
such  be  directed  to  go  on  seeking,  till  they  find  the  pearl 
of  great  price,  till  they  find  Christ  precious  to  their  souls. 
Let  them  not  return  again  to  the  ways  of  folly,  like  the 
dog  to  his  own  vomit,  and  like  the  sow  that  was  washed  to  her 


208  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

wallowing  in  the  mire.  Knowing  that  the  last  state  of 
such  a  person  is  worse  than  the  first.  There  are  others, 
and  we  have  reason  to  fear  there  are  many,  that  are  asleep 
and  secure  in  sin,  and  cast  off  fear  and  restrain  prayer 
before  God. 

Are  there  not  those  among  us,  that  constantly  live  in 
the  neglect  of  prayer  ?  If  there  are  such  persons,  they 
may  be  assured  that  they  are  yet  in  the  gall  of  bitterness 
and  under  the  bonds  of  iniquity.  For  prayer  is  forever 
the  breath  of  the  new-born  soul.  Let  me,  my  brethren, 
inquire  more  familiarly  of  you  whether  you  do  live  in  the 
practice  or  the  neglect  of  the  important  duty  of  prayer  ? 
What  has  been  your  conduct  to-day  ?  Suffer  me  to  ask  your 
consciences  this  plain  question,  whether  you  have  prayed 
to  God  this  day  —  whether  you  have  in  secret  poured  out 
your  hearts  to  God  ?  Your  consciences  will  answer  this 
question  to  yourselves.  Does  it  not  answer  in  the  nega- 
tive with  many  of  you  ? 

Permit  me  to  ask  heads  of  families,  whether  they  have 
to-day  prayed  with  their  families  ?  What  says  conscience 
to  this  question  ?  Does  it  answer  no  to  many  of  you  ?  If 
conscience  does  not  do  its  office  let  me  appeal  to  your  chil- 
dren and  families,  and  see  whether  they  are  not  witnesses 
against  you  for  this  neglect.  And  will  they  not  appear 
swift  witnesses  against  you  hereafter  at  the  great  and  ter- 
rible day  of  account,  if  you  continue  to  neglect  this  im- 
portant duty  ?  "What  meanest  thou,  0  sleeper  ?  Do  you 
mean  to  continue  in  this  neglect  of  God  and  Religion  ?  Do 
you  mean  to  continue  in  the  neglect  of  this  important  duty 
of  prayer,  so  essential  to  Christianity  ?  You  that  are 
heads  of  families,  do  you  intend  to  live  and  die  without 
ever  praying  with  your  families  ?  or  if  you  intend  some 


CHURCHES   OF   EASTON.  209 

time  or  other  to  begin  the  duty,  when  ?  "Why  not  to-day  ? 
When  will  you  have  a  better  opportunity  ?  Or  do  you 
intend  to  neglect  the  duties  of  religion  and  take  the  fatal 
consequences,  and  lie  down  in  eternal  sorrows  ?  Resolve 
what  you  intend  to  do  and  be  sure  to  make  a  wise  and  fixed 
resolution. 

Rev.  Luther  Sheldon,  d.  d.,  a  native  of  Rupert,  Vt., 
in  1785,  and  a  graduate  of  Middlebury  College  in  1808, 
succeeded  Mr.  Reed  in  the  Pastoral  office  at  Easton.  He 
was  settled  Oct.  24,  1810,  and  still  " dwells  among"  his 
"  own  people." 

Second  Congregational  Cliurch. 

A  division  occurred  in  the  original  parish  in  1828,*  and 
a  portion  of  the  church  and  society  have  been  supplied 
with  the  ministrations  of  the  following  persons  ;  Rev.  John 
Sweet;  Rev.  Mr.  Taylor;  Rev.  Mr.  Dudley;  Rev.  S.  A. 
Barnard ;  Rev.  Paul  Dean ;  Rev.  William  A.  Whitwell ; 
who  is  the  present  minister.! 

Episcopal  Methodist  Church. 

This  church  was  organized,  (according  to  Mr.  Reed's 
recollection,)  in  North  Easton,  "about  fifty  years  ago." 

The  Protestant  3Iethodist  Cliurch, 

is  "an  offshoot  from  the  former,  and  erected  their  first 
house  of  worship  some  seven  years  since."  J 

*  Ms.  Letter  of  B.  C.  Dunbar,  Esq.  Rev.  Wm.  Heed  of  Easton 
thinks  the  separation  took  place  in  1833.  I  wrote  Rev.  Dr.  Sheldon  on 
the  subject  weeks  since,  but  have  received  no  answer. 

t  Letters  of  Messrs.  Dunbar  and  Reed. 

t  This  is  a  statement  of  Mr.  Reed,  son  of  the  former  minister  of  Eas- 
ton. Mr.  Dunbar  thinks  "  the  Protestant  Society  is  of  about  sixty  years 
standing,  the  Episcopal  of  about  twelve  years."  Probably  Mr.  Reed  is 
correct,  and  the  Episcopal  branch  is  the  oldest.  They  arc  both  located 
in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  in  the  "  Ames  village,"  about  two  miles 
from  the  centre. 

18* 


210  THE   MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

Roman   Catholic  Church. 

This  is  situated  in  North  Easton,  and  has  been  in  exis- 
tence " about  one  year.    They  have  preaching,  one  service, 
every  other  Sabbath,  and  the  largest  congregation  of  wor 
shippers  in  town."     (Mr.  Reed,  of  Easton,  is  my  inform 
ant.) 


EARLY   SETTLEMENT   OF   RAYXHAM.  211 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

CHURCHES   AND   MINISTRY   OF  RAYNHAM. 

Raynham  was  a  part  of  the  original  "  Tetiquet  Pur- 
chase "  in  1637.  It  was  in  this  part  of  the  ancient  Taun- 
ton, that  James  Leonard,  Henry  Leonard  and  Ralph  Rus- 
sel  erected  their  extensive  Iron  Works.* 

In  1731,  there  was  a  settlement  of  some  thirty  families, 
which  seemed  sufficient  to  authorize  the  petition  for  a  dis- 

*  The  town  of  Taunton.  (Oct.  21,  1652.)  caused  the  following  entry 
to  be  made  on  their  Book  of  Records  :  "  It  was  agreed  and  granted  by 
the  town  to  the  said  Henry  Leonard,  and  James  Leonard,  his  brother, 
and  Ralph  Russel,  free  consent  to  come  hither,  and  join  with  certain  of 
our  inhabitants  to  set  up  a  bloomary  work  on  the  Two  Mile  River.  It 
was  agreed  and  granted  by  a  free  vote  of  the  town,  that  such  particular 
inhabitants,  as  shall  concur  together  with  the  said  persons  in  their  de- 
sign, shall  have  free  liberty  from  the  town  so  to  do,  to  build  and  set  up 
this  work,  and  that  they  shall  have  the  woods  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Two  Mile  River,  wheresoever  it  is  common  on  that  side  of  the  river,  to 
cut  for  their  cord-wood  to  make  coals,  and  also  to  dig  and  take  mine  or 
ore,  at  Two  Mile  Meadows,  or  in  any  of  the  commons,  appertaining  to 
the  town,  where  it  is  not  now  in  propriety."  Accordingly  James  and 
Henry  Leonard  with  their  associates  established  their  "  bloomary,"  where 
now  are  the  "anchor  works"  of  Theodore  Dean,  Esq.,  a  descendant  in 
two  lines  of  the  Leonards  who  obtained  leave  of  the  town  in  1652,  to 
erect  an  establishment  which  for  two  centuries  has  been  uninterruptedly 
and  successfully  carried  on  by  some  member  of  the  family.  Henry 
Leonard  left  Taunton  for  Lynn,  and  afterwards  Rowley;  thence  he  went 
to  New-Jersey;  in  all  which  places  he  established  Iron  Works.  James 
remained  in  Taunton,  and  is  the  progenitor  of  the  Leonards  of  Taun- 
ton, Raynham  and  Norton.  King  Philip!  who  had  his  summer  residence 
in  that  part  of  Taunton,  now  called  Raynham,  was  intimate  with  the 
Leonards,  and  liked  them  much.  They  repaired  his  guns,  and  supplied 
his  people  with  tools,  and  provisions.  He  charged  his  Indians  never  to 
hurt  a  Leonard  —  a  charge  which  was  faithfully  kept.  (Baylies'  Histor- 
ical Memoir  of  Plymouth  Colony,  vol.  u.  p.  268.  Deane's  Geneologi- 
cal  Memoir  of  Leonard  family!  p.  5.  Sanford's  Historical  Sermon, 
Note  C.) 


212  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

tinct  township.  Abraham  Jones  was  the  principal  peti- 
tioner. In  their  petition  they  represent  the  town  as 
"  competently  filled  with  inhabitants."  Their  principal 
desire  appears  to  have  been,  to  be  better  accommodated 
as  to  Public  Worship.  The  General  Court  incorporated 
them  into  a  town,  with  this  condition,  "  that  the  inhabitants 
of  said  town  of  Raynham,  do  within  the  space  of  three 
years  from  the  publication  of  this  act,  procure  and  settle 
a  learned  and  orthodox  minister  of  good  conversation,  and 
make  provision  for  his  comfortable  and  honorable  support; 
and  likewise  provide  a  schoolmaster  to  instruct  their  youth 
to  read  and  write."  Their  meeting-house  was  already 
built,  but  not  entirely  finished.  "  The  first  town-meeting 
for  the  choice  of  town  officers  was  held  the  22d  of  April, 
1731.  On  the  10th  of  May  following,  they  assembled  in 
town,  that  is,  parish-meeting,  and  voted  to  pay  all  expen- 
ses incurred  in  building  the  meeting-house  thus  far,  by 
levying  a  tax.  At  the  same  meeting,  (a  church  not  hav- 
ing been  yet  organized,)  it  was  voted,  to  make  choice  of 
a  minister.     Accordingly, 

Rev.  John  Wales,  who  had  been  preaching  to  them 
about  one  year,  was  chosen  first  minister  of  Raynham;"* 
which  call,  being  unanimous,  he  saw  fit  to  accept.  In  his 
letter  of  acceptance,  he  thus  expresses  himself:  "I  rejoice 
to  see  you  thus  united  for  the  settlement  of  the  Gospel 
amongst  you,  and  can  do  no  less  than  with  gratitude  ac- 
knowledge the  respect  that  you  have  shown  to  me  in  giving 
me  the  offer  of  settling  with  you;  but  as  the  work  of  the 

*  Rev.  Enoch  Sanford,  for  many  years,  minister  of  Raynham,  in  an 
interesting  Historical  Discourse  in  1832.  made  the  preceding  statements. 
From  him,  quoting  from  the  Parisli  Records,  I  learn  that  Mr.  Wales' 
"salary  at  first  was  £100  per  annum,  old  tenor;  and  he  received  £200 
settlement.  His  yearly  income  was  afterwards  increased  to  £400,  old 
tenor,  which  was  £53  6s.  Sd.  lawful  money,  or  S178.77.'; 


JOHN   WALES.  213 


Gospel  ministry  is  hard  and  difficult,  so  I  dare  not  rush 
myself  into  that  office  with  precipitation,  but  have,  as  I 
hope,  sincerely  laid  the  case  before  God  by  prayer,  and 
earnestly  sought  direction  from  Him.  Further,  I  have 
taken  the  advice  of  sundry  of  my  fathers  in  the  ministry. 
And  therefore  looking  upon  the  call  to  come  from  Heaven, 
as  well  as  from  man,  I  dare  not  refuse  it,  but  accept  it, 
earnestly  asking  your  prayers  to  God  for  me,  that  I  may 
so  faithfully  acquit  myself,  in  the  office  of  a  Gospel  minis- 
ter, as  to  save  my  own  soul,  and  those  whom  God  shall 
commit  to  my  watch  and  care." 

There  is  no  official  record  of  Mr.  Wales'  ordination,  but 
in  the  hand- writing  of  Doctor  Fobes,  his  immediate  suc- 
cessor, I  find  it  stated,  in  the  first  book  of  Records,  that 
"  he  was  ordained,  as  near  as  can  be  ascertained,  Oct. 
20th,  1731,"  the  day  following  the  organization  of  the 
church.  Mr.  Sanford  supposes  that  the  same  council  or- 
ganized the  church  and  ordained  Mr.  Wales.  The  church 
consisted  of  the  following  persons  dismissed  from  the 
church  of  Christ  in  Taunton :  Abraham  Jones,  John  Sta- 
ples, John  Leonard,  Samuel  Hacket,  Senior,  Joseph  Jones, 
Samuel  Leonard,  Seth  Leonard,  Samuel  White,  Ebenezer 
Campbell,  John  White,  Gabriel  Crossman,  Jonathan  Hall, 
Thomas  Baker,  Samuel  Hacket,  Jr.,  Henry  Crane,  Han- 
nah White,  Mary  Hacket,  Katharine  Leonard,  Hannah 
Campbell,  Susanna  White,  Hannah  Staples,  Mehitable 
White,  Ruth  Crane,  Elizabeth  Shraw,  Mary  Jones,  Joanna 
Leonard,  Abigail  Hall,  Lydia  Brittain,  Patience  Hackett, 
Sarah  Hall,  Rebecca  Leonard,  Abigail  Baker,  fifteen 
males,  and  seventeen  females.*  John  Staples  and  Samuel 
Leonard  were  chosen  deacons. 

*  A  Book  has  been  discovered  among  the  papers  of  Rev.  Thomas 
Clap,  once  a  minister  of  Taunton,  containing  a  portion  of  the  Church 


214  TIIE  MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

Their  first  minister,  according  to  the  author  of  a  Topo- 
graphical description  of  Raynham  in  the  eighth  volume  of 
the  Collections  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society,* 

Records  during  his  ministry.  In  it  I  find  the  following:  "  At  a  church 
meeting  held  at  the  Public  meeting-house  in  Taunton,  Oct.  7,  1731.  the 
request  of  Abraham  Jones,  &c,  (enumerating  all  the  names  in  the 
above  list,  but  Henry  Crane's,)  all  brethren  and  sisters  in  full  commun- 
ion with  this  church,  living  in  the  town  of  Raynham,  for  a  dismission, 
in  order  to  their  being  incorporated  into  a  church  state  by  themselves, 
and  thus  have  the  Gospel  ordinances  administered  among  them,  was 
read  to  the  church.  The  church  taking  the  matter  into  consideration, 
and  approving  their  desires  to  be  regular,  voted,  that  they  be  dismissed 
accordingly,  commending  them  to  God  and  the  word  of  His  Grace, 
which  is  able  to  build  them  up,  and  to  give  them  an  inheritance  among 
all  those  which  are  sanctified.  At  the  same  time,  the  request  of  several 
persons,  who  had  only  renewed  their  baptismal  covenant,  for  a  dismis- 
sion, was  read ;  upon  which  the  church  voted,  that  if  any  of  them  did 
desire  to  embody  in  a  church  state,  with  the  aforesaid  brethren  and  sis- 
ters, they  might  do  it,  without  any  offense  to  this  church." 

*  In  this  article  furnished  the  society  by  Doctor  Fobes,  it  is  also  stat- 
ed that  ''the  first  meeting-house  was  built  the  year  preceding  the  Incor- 
poration of  the  town,  when  there  were  within  its  limits  about  thirty 
families.  The  first  meeting-house  was  conveniently  situated  for  the  first 
inhabitants,  and  continued  as  the  place  of  worship  for  more  than  forty- 
two  years,  that  is,  until  June  9th,  1773,  when  a  new  meeting-bouse  was 
erected  nearly  in  the  centre  of  the  town.  The  number  of  families  in 
this  town  now,  (1793,)  is  near  two  hundred,  which,  according  to  the  late 
census,  contain  about  a  thousand  souls.  Of  this  number  nearly  one 
sixth  part  are  of  the  Baptist  denomination. 

Raynham  has  been  considered  as  one  of  the  most  patriotic  towns  in 
the  State.  The  inhabitants,  especially  those  who  attend  public  worship, 
have  been  distinguished  for  their  zealous  attachment  to  Republican  Gov- 
ernment, to  learning,  to  military  discipline,  and  church  music. 

The  unanimity  and  ardor  of  their  public  decisions  during  the  late  war, 
their  cautious  but  spirited  exertions,  their  prompt  and  peaceable  compli- 
ance with  the  numerous  calls  of  Government,  in  the  days  of  exigences 
and  danger,  are  well  known,  and  perhaps  ought  the  rather  to  be  remem- 
bered, as  their  patience  long  endured  the  trial  of,  and  opposition,  and 
the  shock  of  ridicule,  from  the  tongues,  the  pens,  the  public  votes,  and 
contradicting  examples  of  great  numbers  all  around  them.  The  people 
here  can  appeal  to  the  living  and  to  the  dead,  when  they  say,  that  not 
among  this  number  was  ever  yet  found  either  a  tory,  a  paper  money  man 
or  insurgent.  Fired  at  the  name  of  insurgency,  and  hearing  that  a  con- 
spiracy was  formed  to  prevent  the  sitting  of  the  October  Court  of  17S6, 
the  troops  of  this  little  town,  consisting  of  two  small  companies,  roused 
unanimous ;  and  at  the  first  call  of  their  leaders,  mustered  in  arms, 
marched  down  to  Taunton,  entered  the  Court  House  as  a  preoccupant 
guard,  there  lay  upon  their  arms  through  the  whole  of  the  night  pre- 
ceding the  day  of  the  Court's  sitting,  and  in  open  defiance  of  all  the 
bloody  threats  of  an  unprincipled  and  outrageous  mob,  in  constant  ex- 


JOHN   WALES.  215 


"was  blessed  with  talents  which  rendered  hhn  very  amia 
ble  and  entertaining  in  social  life.  In  public  prayer,  his 
performances  were  eminent,  and  on  some  occasions,  almost 
unequalled.  He  was  a  faithful,  plain  preacher;  and  hav- 
ing served  in  the  Gospel  ministry  thirty-four  years,  he  died 
February  23,  1765,  in  the  sixty-sixth  year  of  his  age." 
His  ministry  continued  thirty-four  years.  Mr.  Wales 
graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1728.  He  married  Hazadiah, 
daughter  of  Deacon  Samuel  Leonard,  "  the  fourth  son  of 
Thomas,  the  son  of  James  Leonard."  They  were  married 
November  8,  1733.  Mrs.  Wales  died  October  14,  1752, 
in  the  forty-first  year  of  her  age.  Their  son,  Rev.  Sam- 
uel Wales,  d.  d.,  a  graduate  of  Yale  College  in  1767, 
"  held  the  office  of  Professor  of  Divinity  in  that  Institution. 
His  son,  Hon.  John  Wales,  has  been  in  the  United  States 
Senate  from  Delaware.  Catharine,  daughter  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Wales  of  Raynham,  married  Samuel  Montgomery,  gradu- 
ate at  Yale  in  1773,  a  surgeon  in  the  Revolutionary  army. 
Their  daughter,  Catharine,  is  wife  of  Job  Godfrey,  Esq., 
himself  a  descendant."*     Prudence,  the  eldest  daughter 

pectation  of  hundreds  in  arras  ready  for  battle,  they  stood  firm,  but 
alone,  until  the  next  day  about  noon,  when  by  a  reinforcement  of  troops 
from  the  County  of  Plymouth,  and  a  number  gleaned  from  different 
parts  of  the  country,  they  formed,  and  under  the  command  of  General 
Cobb,  the  insurrection  was  crashed,  tbe  Supreme  Court  sat,  and  Govern? 
ment  was  triumphant.  (See  Minot's  History  of  the  Insurrection,  p.  59.) 
From  the  whole  county  of  Bristol,  not  another  whole  company  appear- 
ed, except  the  two  companies  from  Raynham. 

But  that  which  gives  this  town  a  claim  on  public  attention  is  the  fact 
that  here  once  lived  Philip,  the  Indian  King.  Here  they  can  mark  the 
place  and  point  it  out  to  their  children,  saying,  '  our  ears  have  heard, 
our  fathers  have  told  us,  there  once  lived  the  tawny  chief,  a  terror  that 
walked  in  darkness.  On  that  spot  of  ground,  stood  his  house  ;  my  great 
grand  parent  knew  him.  He  once  sold  him  an  ox  for  beef,  and  often 
supplied  him  with  iron  made  with  his  own  hands,  in  yonder  forge,  which 
he  himself  built,  and  the  first  America  saw.  There  yet  stands  the  friend- 
ly dome,  the  once  well  known  garrison,  to  which  our  friends  in  numbers 
fled,  eager  for  life,  and  panting  in  horror  of  Indian  foes." 

*  William  R.  Deane,  (Gen.  Mem.  of  Leonard  family,  p.  12,)  who  has 
sent  me  the  following  notice  of  the  earlier  ancestry  of  Rev.  John  Wales. 


216  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

of  Mr.  Wales,  married  his  successor  in  the  ministry,  Doc- 
tor Fobes. 

Mr.  Wales  published  nothing  in  his  lifetime.  William 
K.  Deane,  a  descendant  by  marriage,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Carver, 
present  minister  of  Raynham,  agree  in  saying  that  they 
never  saw  any  production  of  his  in  print,  with  the  single 
exception  of  a  letter  sent  Rev.  Mr.  Prince  in  1743,  in  at- 
testation to  the  wonderful  Work  of  Grace  which  had  been 
witnessed  in  the  churches.  It  was  published  in  the  twen- 
ty-fourth number  of  the  Christian  History,  in  connection 
with  other  letters,  being  the  fifteenth  in  order: 

"  From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wales,  Pastor  of  the  church  in 
Raynham,  in  the  County  of  Bristol. 

"  I  having  lately  been  informed  by  the  public  Prints,  that 
it  is  the  Desire  of  a  number  of  Ministers  in  Boston,  and 
elsewhere,  that  those  of  their  Brethren  in  the  ministry, 
who  are  convinced,  that  the  present  Operation  upon  the 
Minds  and  Consciences  of  People  in  this  Land,  is  the 
Work  of  God,  would  meet  in  Boston  the  Day  after  Com- 
mencement, to  consult  and  advise  what  may  be  proper  to 
be  done  for  the  promoting  this  good  Work,  and  also  to 
prevent  those  Imprudencies  that  in  some  places  have  been 
said  to  attend  it ;  my  Circumstances  will  not  admit  of  my 
coming  down.  I  therefore  thought  I  would  write  a  Line 
to  let  you  know,  that  I  most  firmly  believe  the  present  Op- 

Nathaniel  "Wales  came  over  with  Richard  Mather,  in  1635,  '''was  of 
Dorchester  1636.  Perhaps  the  same  who  died  in  Boston  4  DeeY  1661, 
leaving  son   Nath'l   who   died  in   Boston  1662."     [Farmer.]     His  son 

Nathaniel  was  the  father  of  Elder  Nathaniel,  who  married  Joanna , 

settled  in  Braintree  about  1675,  died  23d  March  1 7 1 S.  Mr.  Nathaniel 
Wales  was  a  Deacon  in  the  church  at  Braintree.  and,  u  afterwards  or- 
dained Ruling  Elder,  viz  :  Feb.  27,  1700,  by  Mr.  Eiskc.  The  Rev.  Peter 
Thacher  of  Milton,  and  Elder  John  Rogers  of  Weymouth,  joining  in 
the  laying  on  of  hands."  [Hancock's  Century  Sermon,  p.  23.]  Elder 
Nathaniel  was  the  father  of  Rev.  John  Wales  of  Raynham. 


JOHN    WALE*.  217 


eration  to  be  the  Work  of  the  Blessed  God;  and  I,  and 
many  of"  my  Charge,  shall  I  hope,  forever  bless  and  praise 
the  Great  God  for  the  great  Display  of  His  special 
Grace ,  He  has  lately  made  in  this  Place,  in  bringing 
many  souls  savingly  to  close  with  Christ,  and  embrace 
Him  according  to  the   Gospel  offer, 

"As  to  the  Imprudencies  and  Irregularities  that  have 
been  said  to  attend  this  blessed  Work,  I  can  say  nothing 
about  them  ;  for  I  have  seen,  (blessed  be  God  for  it,}  few 
if  any  of  them.  I  should  greatly  rejoice,  to  have  any 
Thing  done,  that  might  have  a  Tendency  to  promote  this 
Work  of  the  blessed  God  in  this  Land,  and  through  the 
World  ;  and  should  be  willing  to  have  my  Name  annexed 
to  any  Thing  that  may  be  published  for  the  promoting  and 
encouraging  this  Work  of  God.  In  the  general,  I  am  full 
in  my  Thot's  with  Mr.  Edivards  in  his  Discourse,  upon 
the  present  Revival  of  Religion,  in  five  Parts;  and  am 
willing  to  have  my  name  set  to  what  may  be  published 
consistent  with  that.  It  is  my  Purpose  to  give  in  my  Tes- 
timony to  this  great  and  good  Work,  and  an  Account  of 
the  Rise  and  Progress  of  it  among  us,  in  a  short  Time  ; 
and  therefore  shall  not  now  enlarge.  Praying  that  the 
Great  Shepherd  may  lead  His  faithful  Ambassadors  into 
such  Methods,  and  Measures,  (on  the  Day  of  their  Con- 
vention,) whereby  His  Glory  may  be  advanced,  and  the 
Kingdom  of  Our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ  be  made 
to  flourish  everywhere,  by  Souls  being  brought  into  it ; 
Intreating  an  Interest  in  your  Prayers  to  God  for  me,  and 
my  Charge,  I  subscribe  myself  your  most  unworthy  Ser- 
vant in  the  Labours  of  the    Gospel  of  the  Blessed  Jesus. 

John  Wales. 

Raynham,  July  4th,  1743." 
19 


218  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

It  is  not  known  that  Mr.  Wales  ever  fulfilled  his  "  Pur- 
pose" in  giving  additional  "  Testimony  to  this  great  and 
good  Work"  as  he  rejoiced  to  call  it.  This  brief  epistle 
reveals  uthe  great  and  good  heart"  of  this  man  of  God. 
In  the  language  of  one*  of  his  successors  in  the  ministry 
of  that  place,  referring  to  the  letter,  "his  testimony  is 
given  strongly  and  with  his  whole  heart." 

"During  Rev.  Mr.  Wales'  ministry,  three  hundred  and 
fifty  infants  and  adult  persons  were  baptized,  and  one 
hundred  and  twenty-six  persons  admitted  to  full  commun- 
ion."! 

Rev.  Peres  Fores,  ll.  d.,  was  the  successor  of  Mr. 
Wales,  and  the  second  minister  of  Raynham.J  A  very 
full  account  of 'the  personal  history  and  pastorate  of  Doc- 
tor Fobes  has  been  prepared  for  this  work  by  Rev.  The- 
ophilus  P.  Doggett,  son  of  Rev.  Simeon  Doggett,  and  thus 
grandson  of  Doctor  Fobes. § 

*  Eev.  R.  Carver. 

t  Rev.  Enoch  Sanford's   Historical  Sermon. 

%  The  church  made  choice  of  Mr.  Fobes  the  29th  of  July,  1766, 
about  two  years  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Wales.  August  18th,  the  town 
concurred,  and  voted  him  a  salary  of  £78,  (S260.)  which  was  afterwards 
increased.  The  Churches  and  Pastors  invited  on  the  Ordaining  Coun- 
cil were:  Church  in  West  Bridgewatcr,  Rev.  Mr.  Perkins,  Pastor; 
Church  in  Bridgew&ter,  Bev.  Mr.  Shaw;  1st  Church  in  Middleboro', 
Rev.  Mr.  Conant;  Church  in  Berkley,  Rev.  Mr.  Tobey;  Church  in  No. 
Middleboro1,  Rev.  Mr.  Reed ;  Church  in  Middleboro',  Rev.  Mr.  Turner. 
Dea.  Jonathan  Hall,  Israel  Washburn,  and  Joseph  Shaw  signed  the 
letters  missive.  The  following  notice  of  the  ordination  appeared  in  the 
Boston  Evening  Post,  December  1,  1766: 

"  Raynham,  November  19,  1766.  This  day  was  ordained,  as  Pastor 
"over  the  Church  of  Christ  in  this  town —  Mr.  Peres  Fobes.  The  Solem- 
"nity  was  carried  on  with  great  Decency.  Mr.  Solomon  Reed  began  with 
"Preiyer,  Mr.  Samuel  Tobey  preached  the  Sermon  from  Collossians  iv. 
"  7th.  these  words  ••  A  faithful  Minister"  Mr.  Perkins  gave  the  Charge; 
"after  which  Mr.  Sulvanus  Conant  Prayed  and  Mr.  John  Shaw  gave  the 
"Right  Hondo/  Fellowship." 

§  Pedigree  of  Doctor  Fobes,  traced  by  his  grandson,  William  R. 
Dcane. 

John  Fobes  came  from  Duxbary,  was  one  of  the  original  proprietors 


yea^f  ytrbj 


PERES   FOBES.  219 


u  There  is  no  species  of  biography  more  beneficial  to  the 
reader  than  that  of  eminent  divines.     The  perusal  of  the 
life  and  labors  of  those   who  have  arisen  to  distinction  in 
the   other  walks  and  professions  of  life,  is  not  likely  to 
produce  so  pure  and  elevating  an  influence  upon  the  heart. 
The  life  of  the  conqueror,  the  scholar  and  the  statesman, 
if  the  biographer  is  faithful  in  his  delineations  of  their  ca- 
reer, is  too  frequently  adapted  to  excite  sentiments  unfa- 
vorable to  the  cause  of  virtue  and  piety.     The  life  of  the 
conqueror  may  inspire  a  thirst  for  glory.     But  it  is  a  glory 
inscribed  in  characters  of  blood  on  the  perishable  marble. 
The  young  mind  may  glow  with  aspirations  for  literary 
fame  while  he  reads  of  the  scholar's  labors  in  the  fields  of 
science.     He  may  feel  a  fervid  ambition  for  office  and 
honor  while  perusing  the  records  of  the  statesman's  popu- 
larity and  political  promotion.     But  in  the  mean  time,  hi3 
taste  for  devotion  and  his  love  for  deeds  of  disinterested 
philanthropy  may  receive  no  improvement  nor  strength. 
But  it  is  not  so  in  respect  to  the  lives  of  those  who  have 
reached  a  deserved  distinction,  by  devoting  them  to  the 
christian  ministry.     Few  can  give  their  attention  to  this 
kind  of  biography,  without  having  their  hearts  improved 
and  inspired  with  a  disposition  to  imitate  those  who  have 
been  actuated  by  a  motive  higher  than  that  of  worldly 
fame. 

Impressed  with  these  considerations  I  have  thought  it 

of  Bridgewater  where  he  settled  and  died  ahout  1661,  leaving  a  son. 
Dea.  Edward,  who  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Howard,  and 
died  ahout  1732.  Dea,  Edward  left  son  John,  born  1679.  who  married 
Abigail  Robinson,  in  1704,  and  died  about  1725.  He  left  son" 
born  1716.  who  married  Frcelovc,  daughter  of  Capt.  Josiafa  Edson,  in 
1739,  and  died  1794,  aged  78.  Josiah  was  the  father  of  Rev.  Doctor 
Fobes,  who  married  Prudence,  daughter  of  Rev.  John  Wales  of  Rayn- 
ham.  He  had  two  sons  who  died  young.  His  daughter,  Nancy,  mar- 
ried Rev.  S.  Doggctt;  daughter,  Roily,  married  Rev.  Elijah  Leonard. 


220  THE   MINISTRY    OF   TAUNTON. 

might  be  useful  to  arrest  from  oblivion  by  the  few  follow- 
ing pages,  the  life  and  labors  of  a  man  whose  influence  and 
success  as  a  preacher  and  pastor,  give  him  a  claim  to  be 
ranked  among  the  distinguished  divines  of  New-England. 

The  Rev.  Perez  Fobes  was  born  in  Bridge  water,  Sep- 
tember 21st,  1742.  His  father  originated  from  this  place. 
His  family  consisted  of  twelve  children,  and  he  was  long 
known  as  a  worthy  and  enterprising  farmer.  His  mother 
came  from  a  respectable  family  by  the  name  of  Edson. 
She  was  a  judicious  woman,  and  united  in  her  character 
to  a  high  degree,  the  qualities  of  the  christian.  His  pa- 
rents adopted  the  wise  and  just  plan  of  allowing  then*  chil- 
dren to  choose  their  own  profession,  and  to  follow  the  orig- 
inal bent  of  their  minds  without  exercising  in  this  respect 
any  influence  upon  their  own  determinations.  In  accord- 
ance with  this  plan  the  subject  of  this  biography  had  not 
been  expressly  designed,  as  some  sons  are,  by  their  parents 
for  the  profession  of  the  ministry,  nor  for  any  particular 
pursuit.  From  this  we  may  justly  conclude  that  his  choice 
of  the  sacred  profession  was  the  result  of  the  promptings 
of  his  peculiar  taste  and  genius. 

In  his  early  days,  though  cheerful  and  full  of  life,  and 
action,  yet  he  was  thoughtful  and  religiously  disposed. 
This  is  evident  from  a  Diary  which,  I  am  told,  he  kept 
while  a  youth.  It  appears  from  this  that  he  early  conse- 
crated himself  to  God  and  Christ  and  the  christian  minis- 
try. He  was  among  the  happy  number  who,  like  Timothy 
under  the  instruction  and  influence  of  pious  parents,  be- 
come religious  and  keep  so  from  their  youth  up.  In  such 
instances  no  particular  time  of  life  will  be  remembered  as 
marked  with  deep  religious  impressions.  It  was  so  in  his 
case.     His  boyhood  was  also  distinguished  by  devotedness 


PERES   FOBES.  221 


and  profound  respect  for  his  mother.  He  was  not  like 
those  boys,  who,  when  the  father  is  absent,  feel  no  restraint 
from  the  presence  of  the  mother.  It  is  probable  that  he 
imbibed  much  of  religious  trust  and  piety  from  a  maternal 
source,  as  Timothy  did  from  his  mother  Eunice. 

His  mind  was  always  active,  and  he  loved  books  and 
study.  But  physical  feebleness  and  want  of  health  while 
young,  considerably  impeded  his  progress.  Previous  to 
commencing  the  study  of  Theology,  he  taught  school.  In 
this  occupation  he  was  successful.  He  thought  his  expe- 
rience in  it  qualified  him  when  a  minister,  for  greater  use- 
fulness in  superintending  the  common  schools,  in  the  wel- 
fare of  which  he  was  always  ardently  interested. 

He  had  high  views  of  the  literary  and  moral  qualifica- 
tions which  the  ministerial  office  requires.  Hence  he  en- 
tered upon  it  with  a  humiliating  consciousness  of  his  inad- 
equacy to  the  discharge  of  its  weighty  duties.  This  very 
feeling  no  doubt  contributed  to  render  him  a  burning  and 
shining  light  in  the  church.  As  he  often  labored  under 
bodily  imbecility,  he  was  always  careful  to  seize  those 
moments  for  study  when  he  felt  the  best.  Hence,  although 
he  had  appropriated  particular  hours  of  the  day  and  the 
night  for  mental  labor,  he  often  found  it  profitable  to  devi- 
ate occasionally  from  the  plan  he  had  adopted.  His  style 
of  writing  was  earnest,  flowing,  full  of  happy  illustrations, 
and  highly  scriptural.  His  happy  manner  of  quoting 
scripture,  notwithstanding  his  style  was  familiar,  and  sim- 
ple, imparted  to  it  an  evangelical  impressiveness.  His 
familiarity  with  the  language  of  the  Bible  secured  to  him 
an  advantage  which  it  is  to  be  feared,  many  ministers  now, 
do  not  fully  appreciate.  Next  to  the  Bible,  his  favorite 
authors  were  Blair,  Barrow,  Tillotson,  Sherlock,  Price, 
19* 


222  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

Paley,  Johnson,  Addison.  Frequent  extracts  from  Shaks- 
peare  and  Pope,  to  be  found  in  his  old  Manuscripts,  seem- 
ed to  show  that  he  studied  and  admired  those  great  poets. 
He  wrote  rapidly,  and  often  left  his  sermon  when  but  part- 
ly written,  to  be  filled  up  by  extemporaneous  effort.  All 
his  composition  commonly  had  the  appearance  of  extempo- 
raneous production.  The  more  a  discourse  is  marked  with 
this,  to  the  most  of  hearers,  the  more  engaging  it  becomes. 
When  he  spoke  upon  the  evils  of  sin,  his  language  was 
strong,  persuasive  and  alarming.  When  he  prepared  a 
production  for  the  Press,  a  deep  solicitude  for  correctness 
and  accuracy  weighed  painfully  upon  his  mind.  He  would 
sometimes  read  some  discourse,  imbue  his  mind  deeply 
with  it,  then  write  upon  the  subject  of  it,  improving,  if 
possible,  upon  the  writer.  At  other  times  he  would  write 
first  upon  the  subject,  and  then  compare  his  trains  of 
thought  upon  it  with  those  of  the  writer.  He  was  accus- 
tomed to  recommend  both  of  these  methods  to  young  min- 
isters, affirming  that  they  were  well  adapted  to  interest 
the  mind,  and  call  forth  its  vigor. 

As  a  Pulpit  Orator,  Doctor  Fobes  had  but  few  equals. 
The  tones  of  his  voice  were  clear,  sweet  and  strong.  When 
earnestly  engaged,  no  audience  could  slumber-  under  his 
animating  and  thrilling  enunciation.  His  attitude  in  the 
pulpit  was  dignified  and  commanding,  his  gestures  natural 
and  graceful.  It  is  said  that  when  he  felt  well,  and  be- 
came warmed  and  filled  with  his  subject,  his  interest  in  it 
was  so  palpably  displayed  in  his  manner,  that  it  seemed  to 
descend  from  the  pulpit,  and  pass  like  electricity  from 
heart  to  heart  Not  merely  females  of  tender  sensibility, 
but  the  strong  man  who  guarded  well  his  heart,  would  find 
at  times  the  influence  of  his  impassioned  eloquence  steal- 


PERES   FOBES.  228 


ing  upon  them  silently  and  overwhelmingly.  His  power 
in  the  pulpit  was  not  always  every  Sabbath  felt  to  this  de- 
gree, but  frequently.  Hence  he  was  widely  known  as  a 
popular  preacher.  His  fame  abroad  was  such,  that  people 
not  unfrequently  came  from  a  distance  to  hear  him. 

It  was  particularly  in  the  devotional  duties  of  the  pro- 
fession, that  Doctor  Fobes  excelled.  However  little  at- 
tention comparatively  these  may  receive  from  the  majority 
of  the  ministers,  it  was  his  belief  that  the  power  of  the 
ministry  lie  almost  as  much  in  the  prayers,  as  the  discours- 
es of  the  sanctuary.  With  this  persuasion,  it  is  believed 
that  he  devoted  to  this  part  of  the  sacred  office  more  time 
and  attention  than  ministers  usually  do.  Although  he  was 
undoubtedly  blessed  with  more  than  ordinary  gifts,  for  it, 
yet  he  never  would  have  attained  to  the  excellence  he  did, 
without  much  anxious  preparation  of  heart  and  diligent 
cultivation  of  mind.  He  was  known  to  spend  much  time 
in  retirement  for  private  meditation.  He  cherished  the 
devout  affections  by  much  secret  communion  with  the  Be- 
ing from  whom  cometh  spiritual  gifts.  By  such  culture 
he  attained  to  an  eminence  in  devotional  performances  not 
often  equalled.  The  two  qualities  which  give  every  prayer 
a  claim  to  be  called  excellent,  are  its  fervency  and  its  ap- 
propriateness to  the  occasion.  These  two  qualities  com- 
monly distinguished  the  devotions  of  Doctor  Fobes.  It 
may  be  proper  and  entertaining  to  relate  here  some  instan- 
ces illustrative  of  the  power  and  celebrity  which  he  had 
acquired  in  this  department  of  professional  duty. 

On  one  occasion  while  officiating  at  the  evening  devo- 
tions of  the  College  chapel,  there  came  up  suddenly  a  ter- 
rific thunder  storm.  During  the  time  of  prayer  an  awful 
clap  of  thunder  startled  the  students  assembled  there. 


224  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

While  the  aspect  of  terror  and  dismay  sat  upon  every 
countenance,  Doctor  Fobes  calmly  paused  a  moment,  and 
then  caught  the  inspiration  of  the  occasion,  and  went  into 
a  strain  of  devotion  so  appropriate,  so  sublime  and  impres- 
sive, that  every  heart  present  was  melted  into  penitence 
and  filled  with  devout  sentiments  as  it  never  was  before. 
The  pathos  of  his  tones,  and  the  heavenly  engagedness 
manifested  in  his  manner  at  the  time,  could  not  have  been 
surpassed.  While  they  produced  in  all  a  lasting  religious 
impression,  they  subdued  and  quieted  at  the  same  time 
every  rising  emotion  of  fear  that  was  agitating  the  assem- 
bly. 

On  another  occasion,  while  the  land  wa3  parching  up 
under  the  effect  of  an  alarming  drought,  during  his  prayer 
the  heavens  were  suddenly  overclouded,  and  suffering  veg- 
etation was  refreshed  by  a  most  copious  rain.  He  had 
begun  his  devotional  exercise  with  the  most  fervent  peti- 
tion for  rain,  but  perceiving  before  he  ended,  this  altera- 
tion in  the  weather,  the  whole  congregation  were  struck 
with  the  wonderful  facility  with  which  he  immediately 
adapted  himself  to  the  change  in  the  same  prayer,  closing 
with  the  most  earnest  and  sublime  language  of  thanksgiv- 
ing for  the  reception  of  the  blessing  so  soon  after  it  was 
implored. 

This  fact  and  others  similar  to  it  reached  the  ears  of 
neighboring  and  distant  societies.  The  eloquence  and 
efficacy  of  his  prayers  were  described  by  those  who  heard 
them  in  such  glowing  terms  that  the  mass  of  the  people  in 
some  places  regarded  Doctor  Fobes  with  a  respect  that 
was  mingled  with  superstitious  feeling.  On  every  great 
occasion  in  the  county,  his  devotional  services  were  sought. 
When  a  criminal  was  to  be  executed  in  former  times,  a  vast 


PERES    FOBES.  225 


concourse  of  people  assembled,  and  all  eyes  were  turned 
to  Doctor  Fobes  as  the  officiating  chaplain.  As  he  gave 
expression  to  what  one  would  suppose  to  be  the  criminal's 
dying  prayer,  there  was  always  a  pathos  and  thrilling  so- 
lemnity in  his  manner,  which  made  men  feel  that  he  was 
gifted  from  on  High,  and  spoke  the  language  of  inspira- 
tion. 

On  three  different  occasions  of  Public  Fasting,  in  conse- 
quence of  long  continued  drought,  he  was  called  at  Bridge- 
water  to  perform  the  public  services.  There  is  a  tradition 
among  the  descendants  of  the  eminent  preacher  hi  that 
place,  that  every  time  he  came  he  went  home  with  a  wet 
coat. 

Other  instances  might  be  cited  in  proof  of  the  reputa- 
tion which  Doctor  Fobes  had  acquired  in  this  difficult  part 
of  a  minister's  official  duty.  But  in  a  limited  sketch  like 
this,  those  already  mentioned  must  suffice.  It  is  just  to 
remark  here  that  in  estimating  his  power  over  an  audience 
in  public  devotion,  we  must  remember  there  prevailed  then 
among  the  people  much  more  than  now,  a  profound  rever- 
ence for  the  office  which  he  held.  Men  believed  more 
easily  than  now  that  a  minister  may  be  aided  by  supernat- 
ural influence.  There  was  more  faith  in  the  efficacy  of 
prayer.  All  this  was  favorable  to  effect.  Doctor  Fobes 
knew  this,  and  he  justly  availed  himself  of  the  advantage 
which  it  afforded.  In  his  time  and  in  the  days  of  Whit- 
field, the  same  degree  of  eloquence  in  the  pulpit,  would 
produce  much  more  effect  probably,  than  it  could  now. 

It  often  happens  that  when  a  minister  excels  in  the  pul- 
pit, he  is  found  deficient  out  of  it,  in  the  parochial  duties. 
But  it  was  not  so  with  Doctor  Fobes.  These  duties  re- 
ceived as  much  of  his  attention  in  proportion  to  their 


226  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

importance,  as  any  other  belonging  to  the  office.  Hi3  at- 
tention to  the  sick  was  affectionate  and  devoted.  His 
conversation  and  prayers  with  them  were  earnest,  comfort- 
ing, and  frequently  produced  impressions  and  awakened 
resolutions  which  did  not  pass  away  with  their  sickness, 
but  were  diligently  cherished  and  strengthened  after  their 
recovery.  His  general  visits  were  free  from  formality, 
accompanied  always  with  such  a  manner  as  to  make  the 
people  feel  easy,  and  strip  them  of  restraint  while  in  his 
presence.  His  conversations  were  instructive,  and  cheer- 
ful without  being  frivolous. 

He  possessed  a  peculiar  tact  for  uniting  and  harmoniz- 
ing a  discordant  people.  I  mention  this  as  being  a  trait 
in  the  man,  not  as  insinuating  that  the  society  over  which 
he  was  settled,  had  ever  imbibed  to  any  remarkable  de- 
gree, the  turbulent  spirit  of  discord.  If  the  seeds  of  any 
difficulty  had  been  sown,  and  sprung  up  in  any  quarter, 
and  shot  their  roots  deep  and  wide,  yet  he  had  the  gift  of 
eradicating  them  with  such  a  gentle  hand  as  not  to  dis- 
turb the  soil  of  the  flourishing  vineyard  on  which  he  labor- 
ed. He  hushed  a  complaint  before  it  run  round  a  neigh- 
borhood. If  we  were  to  speak  more  particularly  of  the 
causes  of  his  ministerial  success,  we  should  refer  to  his 
social  spirit  as  among  the  most  prominent  ones.  He  was 
eminently  familiar  with  all.  He  was  ever  ready  to  con- 
verse with  the  parishioner  whether  he  met  him  at  the  fire- 
side, or  in  the  shop,  on  the  field  or  in  the  street.  The 
most  inconsiderable  member  of  his  parish  could  never  meet 
him  without  having  the  important  sentiment  of  self-respect 
and  the  spirit  of  laudable  ambition  excited  by  some  en- 
couraging word  which  the  minister  had  dropped  in  his  ear 
in  passing.     He  possessed  the  faculty  of  adapting  himself 


PERES   FOBES.  227 


to  every  variety  of  character.  His  resources  of  conver- 
sation constituted  a  common  fund  of  information,  facts, 
anecdotes,  and  ideas  from  which  all  his  flock,  of  whatever 
standing  or  occupation,  might  always  derive  something 
that  was  pleasing  and  suitable  to  their  case.  Cheerful 
without  levity,  he  would  more  generally  have  an  agreeable 
story  to  illustrate  some  topic  of  conversation,  and  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  enliven  the  dullness  of  the  unsocial  circle. 
Where  he  was,  something  would  be  said  that  might  be 
remembered  to  advantage.  Serious  without  austerity,  he 
would  never  allow  his  familiar  good  humor  to  overstep  the 
rules  of  that  sober  deportment,  the  absence  of  which  is 
wholly  uncongenial  with  the  ministerial  office.  Penetrated 
and  actuated  by  the  true  spirit  of  the  Gospel,  the  rich  and 
the  influential  of  his  Flock,  never  received  more  of  his 
time,  attention  and  regards  than  the  poorest  and  the  hum- 
blest members  of  it.  His  familiarity  was  not  limited  to 
any  portion  of  his  parish,  but  extended  to  its  most  obscure 
corners.  His  parochial  visits,  I  am  told,  did  not  general- 
ly average  more  than  two  a  year  to  each  family.  Yet  this 
number  of  visits,  at  a  time  when  his  society  contained 
probably  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  families,  must 
have  been  a  great  labor  and  occupied  a  large  portion  of 
time.  His  versatility  of  talent  in  conversation,  gave  him 
the  happy  faculty  of  adapting  himself  to  persons  of  every 
description  of  temperament,  disposition,  age  and  occupa- 
tion. To  the  man  of  refined  taste  and  extensive  reading, 
and  to  the  man  of  humbler  capacity  and  limited  attain- 
ments, he  was  equally  interesting.  He  could  so  variate 
and  change  his  subject  and  manner  as  to  satisfy  the  wants 
and  taste  of  the  mechanic  in  his  shop,  or  the  ploughman 
in  his  field,  or  the  scholar  in  his  study.     This  social  spirit,  , 


228  TIIE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUXTON. 

possessing  such  facility  of  adaptation,  not  only  rendered 
him  useful  out  of  the  pulpit  in  the  way  of  his  profession, 
but  an  agreeable  companion,  and  secured  to  him  the  re- 
spect, the  friendship  and  affection  of  his  people.  If  there 
be  any  thing,  which  can  make  a  people  united,  harmonious 
and  happy  in  the  one  whom  they  have  chosen  to  minister 
at  the  sacred  altar,  it  is  their  affectionate  regard  for  him 
as  a  neighbor,  as  a  friend  and  companion.  This  perpetu- 
ally operates  as  a  strong  bond  binding  them  to  him,  and 
him  to  them.  It  disposes  them  to  overlook  and  excuse 
faults  in  his  preaching,  and  peculiarities  in  his  character, 
which  otherwise  would  occasion  disgust  and  dissatisfaction, 
obstruct  his  usefulness,  and  terminate  in  his  dismission. 
We  may  say  therefore  with  great  assurance,  that  the  deep 
hold  which  Doctor  Fobes  secured  upon  the  affections  of 
his  people  by  means  of  his  familiar  and  social  spirit  out  of 
the  pulpit,  was  the  most  obvious  and  prominent  cause 
of  that  distinguished  success  which  attended  his  protract- 
ed ministry. 

While  he  was  faithful  to  his  duties  as  a  minister,  he  was 
ardently  engaged  in  the  cause  of  education  and  of  science. 
He  made  his  study  a  school  to  prepare  young  men  for  the 
ministry.  He  seemed  to  possess  a  peculiar  power  of  im- 
buing minds  whose  studies  were  under  his  direction  with 
his  own  ardent  spirit,  and  inspiring  them  with  enthusiasm 
in  their  profession. 

Amid  his  many  avocations,  he  found  time  to  investigate 
the  higher  departments  of  science.  It  would  be  unjust  to 
omit  mentioning  the  interest  with  which  he  turned  his  at- 
tention to  experimental  Philosophy.  Following  the  dic- 
tates of  his  taste  for  the  sciences,  he  procured  the  Air 
Pump,  the  Electrical  Machine,  and  a  valuable  Philosophi- 


PERES   FOBES.  229 


cal  Apparatus.  Among  his  unfinished  manuscripts  we 
find  the  outlines  of  courses  of  lectures  on  the  different 
branches  of  Natural  Philosophy. 

Astronomy  was  his  favorite  study.  He  devoted  to  it  a 
large  part  of  his  leisure  hours.  He  constructed  an  Orrery, 
illustrating  the  motions  of  the  heavenly  bodies  in  a  manner 
that  attracted  much  attention,  and  greatly  interested  the 
friends  of  science. 

Botany  also  engaged  his  attention.  He  formed  and 
cultivated  a  small  Botanical  Garden.  He  interested  him- 
self in  finding  flowers  belonging  to  the  different  Classes, 
with  the  characteristics  of  which  he  had  familiarized  his 
mind.  He  delighted  to  stroll  over  the  fields  for  this  pur- 
pose, and  in  this  way  he  took  much  of  his  exercise.  But 
however  much  attention  his  love  of  science  prompted  him 
to  devote  to  it,  all  his  acquisitions  in  it  were  made  subser- 
vient to  his  usefulness  as  a  minister  of  Christ.  He  never 
lost  sight  of  this  as  the  great  calling  to  which  he  had  early 
dedicated  his  powers.  If  he  studied  Astronomy,  it  was 
that  he  might  acquire  information  to  communicate  to  oth- 
ers in  his  daily  conversation,  and  derive  from  it  new  illus- 
trations to  bring  the  truths  of  the  Gospel  to  bear  with 
more  power  upon  the  heart.  If,  in  his  rural  walks  he 
roved  the  fields  to  verify  the  principles  of  Botany,  it  was 
that  he  might  draw  fresh  lessons  of  Divine  Goodness  from 
the  flowers  of  the  wayside,  to  add  ardor  to  his  own  piety 
and  love  to  God,  and  in  his  preaching  to  inspire  others 
with  the  same  ennobling  sentiment.  Thus  in  all  his  stud- 
ies and  investigations,  he  kept  steadily  in  view  the  inter- 
ests of  his  sacred  profession,  and  made  them  tributary  to 
this  as  the  chief  end  of  his  life.     In  all  his  fondness  for 


20 


230  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

the  sciences,  he  seemed  "  determined  not  to  know  anything 
among  men  save  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified." 

I  trust  that  the  sketch,  which  follows,  many  not  be 
deemed  out  of  place,  proceeding,  as  it  does,  from  the  pen 
of  a  son-in-law  of  Doctor  Fobes,  the  late  venerable  Sim- 
eon Doggett,  of  Raynham,  and  touching  upon  points  for 
the  most  part  omitted  in  the  preceding  narrative. 

"The  Rev.  Peres  Fobes,  ll.  d.,  was  born  in  Bridgewa- 
ter,  September  21, 1742.  Blessed  with  worthy  and  chris- 
tian parents  and  a  religious  education,  he  early  showed  a 
disposition  congenial  to  piety,  and  the  fostering  aids  of 
Divine  grace.  When  quite  a  youth,  as  appears  in  a  short 
diary  which  he  kept  in  the  early  part  of  his  life,  he  sol- 
emnly and  repeatedly  dedicated  liimself  to  Almighty  God. 
While  that  piety  which  glowed  brilliantly  through  life  be- 
gan early  to  dawn,  not  less  early  was  begun  his  literary 
career.  So  forward,  prompt  and  manly  was  his  literature, 
that  at  the  early  age  of  thirteen,  he  was  intrusted  with 
the  school  of  his  own  neighborhood.  Though  much  im- 
peded in  his  literary  progress  through  want  of  health,  he 
received  his  first  degree  at  Harvard  University  in  1762. 
In  176-  he  was  approbated  to  preach  the  blessed  Gospel, 
to  which  his  pious  heart  had  long  been  aspiring :  and  on 
the  19th  of  November,  1766,  was  ordained  a  minister  of 
Christ  to  the  church  and  society  of  Raynham.  Here  he 
continued  a  burning  and  shining  light  until  the  year  1812, 
when  on  the  23d  of  February,  death  closed  the  scene. 
National  independence  and  civil  liberty  being  ever  near 
his  heart,  in  1777,  times  which  tried  men's  souls,  forget- 
ting his  great  bodily  weaknesses,  he  volunteered  as  a  chap- 
lain, in  the  armies  of  his  country.  In  1786,  Doctor  Man- 
ning, then  President  of  Brown  University,  being  elected 


PERES   FOBES.  231 


Representative  to  the  American  Congress,  in  the  interim 
of  his  absence,  Doctor  Fobes  was,  by  the  Honorable  Cor- 
poration, called  to  its  Presidency.  Discharging  the  ardu- 
ous duties  of  this  station  with  usefulness  and  honor,  he 
was  in  the  succeeding  year,  chosen  a  Professor  of  Exper- 
imental Philosophy  in  that  University.  In  tins  Professor- 
ship, then  in  its  infancy,  without  funds  to  support  it,  with 
an  apparatus  much  of  his  own  construction,  he,  for  a  course 
of  years,  rendered  useful  instruction  and  highly  important 
services  to  the  Institution.  In  1787  he  was  chosen  to  its 
Fellowship,  and  in  1792  received  its  highest  honors.  Ever 
engaged  in  the  cause  of  literature  and  the  improvements 
of  the  rising  generation,  in  1796  he  was  called  to  the  over- 
sight of  Bristol  Academy,  in  the  prosperity  of  which  In- 
stitution he  took  a  deep  interest ;  and  while  his  health 
permitted,  his  presence  and  addresses,  on  its  Quarterly 
Examinations,  added  increased  respectability  to  its  Hon- 
orable Board  of  Trustees,  and  animation  and  renewed 
energy  to  its  literary  exertions.  In  17 —  he  was  chosen 
a  member  of  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences. 
Neither  were  his  exertions  in  the  cause  of  literature 
wholly  exhausted  abroad.  Soon  after  his  settlement  in 
the  ministry,  he  opened  a  school  for  young  gentlemen,  in 
his  own  house,  and  many  who  now  are  acting  honorable 
parts  on  the  theatre  of  life,  with  respectful  gratitude  rec- 
ognize him  as  a  kind  and  skillful  preceptor.  Here  also 
candidates  were  indoctrinated  into  the  sublime  truths  of 
Theology;  many  of  whom,  clad  in  his  mantle,  have  be- 
come able  ministers  of  the  new  and  everlasting  covenant 
of  Grace.  Ever  devoted  to  the  people  of  his  charge,  the 
education  of  their  youth  presented  another  rich  field  for 
the  exertion  of  his  literary  and  philanthropic  energies. 


232  THE  MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

The  schools  of  Raynham  under  his  patronage  and  inspec- 
tion were,  for  years,  an  example  for  the  county,  and  bear 
an  honorable  testimonial  to  the  public  of  the  vast  impor- 
tance of  a  learned  clergy  to  our  country.* 

While  he  shone  as  a  star  of  distinguished  magnitude 
and  lustre  in  the  hemisphere  of  letters,  it  was  in  the  minis- 
try, for  which  he  seemed  peculiarly  formed,  that  his  prime 
excellencies  were  displayed.  Receiving  and  studying  the 
Bible  as  the  Oracles  of  God,  from  this  living  and  blessed 
fountain  he  drew  the  doctrines  of  his  religion,  and  the 
rules  of  his  morality.  Founded  on  Christ  and  his  Apos- 
tles, so  happily  did  he  blend  in  his  creed  the  excellencies 
of  Calvin  and  Arminius,  that  he  seemed  a  friend  to  both. 
While  a  friend  to  experimental  religion,  he  stood  aloof 
from  superstition  and  enthusiasm.  Though  an  acute  met- 
aphysician and  learned  theologian,  yet  knowing  the  gospel 
to  be  designed  for  all,  plain,  practical,  evangelical  discour- 
ses were  his  chief  aim.  Few  preachers  had  higher  pre- 
tensions to  pulpit  oratory  than  Doctor  Fobes.  He  was 
logical  in  system,  though  not  formal,  and  his  sentences 
were  simple,  perspicuous,  pithy,  and  often  elegant.  His 
thoughts  lively,  striking,  and  frequently  sublime.  His 
imagination  winged  and  chastened  by  devotion  was  rapid, 
towering  and  inventive.  With  a  voice  soft  and  sonorous, 
his  elocution  was  flowing,  commanding  and  truly  impres- 
sive. But  it  was  in  his  prayers,  that  the  whole  soul  of 
the  good  man  shone  forth.  With  a  mind  fraught  with  the 
great  truths  of  our  holy  religion,  and  a  heart  warmed  with 

*  Rev.  Mr.  Carver,  present  Pastor  of  the  church  in  Raynham  remarks : 
4:He  took  a  great  interest  in  education,  and  succeeded,  I  am  told,  in  in- 
fusing a  portion  of  his  own  interest  into  the  minds  of  the  youth.  It  is 
said,  the  schools  in  this  town  during  Doctor  Fohes'  ministry,  and  prin- 
cipally by  his  agency,  were  of  a  higher  order  than  in  the  adjacent  towns." 


PERES   FOBES.  233 


piety,  as  ever  he  approached  the  throne  of  grace,  all  his 
faculties  seemed,  at  once,  to  be  wrapt  into  their  sublimest 
exercise.  While  he  poured  out  his  soul  to  God,  his  hear- 
ers were  constrained  to  kindle  and  to  adore.  While  his 
excellencies  were  displayed  in  the  pulpit,  he  was  peculiar- 
ly attentive  to  all  the  duties  of  parochial  life.  He  was  in- 
stant in  season  and  out  of  season.  His  intercourse  and 
conversation  easy  and  familiar,  were  instructive  and  pleas- 
ing to  all.  His  frequent  visits  and  prayers  cheered  the 
gloomy  chamber  of  sickness,  soothed  the  pillow  of  death, 
and  were  a  choice  balm  to  the  bereaved  heart. 

The  works*  of  Doctor  Fobes,  given  to  the  public  from 
the  press  are  numerous  sermons,  delivered  upon  various 
and  some  most  important  occasions.  But  that  especially 
to  be  particularised  is  his  Scripture   Catechism. f     The 

*  The  following  list  was  prepared  by  William  R.  Deane : 
I.  Sermon  at  Providence,  R.  I..  July  31.  1791,  occasioned  by  the 
death  of  Rev.  James  Manning,  d.  d.,  8  vo.  Providence. 

II.  Sermon  at  Pembroke,  Mass.,  January  26,  1803,  at  the  ordination 
of  George  Barstow,  8  vo.  Boston,  1803. 

III.  Election  Sermon,  8  vo.  Boston  1795. 

IV.  History  of  Raynnam,  1794,  (Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  in.) 
V.  Sermon  to  young  men,  1794. 

VI.  Sermon  at  the  Execution  of  John  Dixon  at  Taunton,  1784. 
VII.  "  A  Scripture  Catechism,  or  S}-stem  of  Religious  instruction  in 
the  words  of  Scripture,  adapted  to  the  use  of  schools  and  families." 
Cambridge,  1804. 

VIII.  "An  Abridgement  of  Dr.  Fobes'  Scripture  Catechism,  revised 
by  an  Association  of  Ministers,  and  designed  for  the  children  of  their 
respective  societies,"  Cambridge,  1809. 

(Probably  some  others  which  I  have  not  seen.  W.  R.  D.) 
t  Concerning  this  two-fold  work,  Rev.  T.  P.  Doggett  thus  remarks : 
"  Dr.  Fobes'  larger  and  smaller  catechisms  are  works  of  much  merit 
and  originality.  With  a  little  alteration,  it  is  believed  that  no  books 
now  used  to  impart  religious  instruction  in  our  Sabbath  Schools,  would 
be  superior  to  these,  although  written  many  years  before  these  Institu- 
tions were  known.  The  writer  of  this  notice  has  heard  that  men  of  dis- 
criminating minds  have  remarked,  that  the  larger  Catechism  throws 
more  light  upon  the  comprehensiveness  of  the  Ten  Commandments  than 
any  work  they  ever  read  of  the  same  size.  It  shows  with  great  acute- 
ness  and  ingenuity  that  these  commandments,  though  few  and  brief,  em- 
brace the  whole  of  human  duty.     It  shows  that  they  have  a  deep,  interr 

20* 


fc2o4  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

happy  design  and  vast  importance  of  this  work  constitute 
it  a  rich  legacy  of  a  faithful  minister  to  every  family. 

As  a  social  friend  Doctor  Fobes  was  peculiarly  happy. 
Few  men  possessed  more  eminent  colloquial  talent.  He 
was  always  ready  for  an  interchange  of  soul  with  his  liter- 
ary and  religious  friends. 

In  domestic  life,  where  the  character  is  more  unveiled, 
his  worth  also  appeared.  With  a  high  sense  of  order,  he 
was  the  indulgent  husband  and  the  affectionate  and  kind 
parent.  Unembarrassed  with  the  cares  of  the  world, 
study  and  religion  were  the  prime  objects  of  his  domestic 
hours.  Nothing  could  interrupt  his  stated  times  of  devo- 
tion. Regular  as  the  morning  and  evening  sun,  from  his 
little  family  and  closet  his  prayers  ascended  as  incense  to 
the  throne  of  Grace. 

As  religion  shone  in  his  life,  it  was  his  peculiar  support 
in  a  painful  sickness  and  death.  He  settled  his  temporal 
concerns,  and  set  his  house  in  order  to  meet  death,  with 
much  calmness  and  fortitude.  So  violent  and  distressing 
were  his  disorders,  that  his  mind  gradually  weakened  with 
his  body ;  yet  lucid  moments  would  succeed  which  he  of- 
ten improved  by  religious  remarks.  Upon  one  of  these 
occasions,  though  he  had  practiced  so  well,  he,  with  much 
humility  lamented  the  defects  and  short-comings  of  his 
religious  life,  and  placed  his  hope  of  salvation  upon  the 
infinite  mercy  of  God,  through  the  great  Mediator :  Upon 
another,  he  expressed  the  immense  obligations  of  gratitude 
we  were  under  for  the  hope  of  eternal  life,  promised  in  the 
Gospel.     At  another  time,  a  friend  said  to  him,  she  trusted 

nal  meaning  which  is  not  apparent  to  the  mind  at  first  view.  The  much 
beloved  Dr.  Sanger  of  Bridgewater.  was  accustomed  to  say  that  it  was 
so  suggestive  and  rich  in  religious  thought,  that  when  he  wished  for  top- 
ics on  which  to  discourse,  it  never  failed  to  furnish  him." 


PERES  FOBES.  235 


there  was  a  rest  for  him.  He  replied  with  his  usual  pathos 
and  animation,  that  he  had  no  doubt  that  there  was  a  rest 
remaining  for  the  people  of  God.  Though  life  to  him  had 
many  ties,  in  view  of  that  rest,  he  met  his  fate  with  res- 
ignation and  Christian  fortitude. 

Help,  Lord,  for  the  Godly  man  ceaseth,  for  the  faithful 
fail  from  among  the  children  of  men." 

I  have  several  MSS.  sermons,  and  printed  productions  of 
Doctor  Fobes  in  my  possession,  but  must  content  myself 
with  a  few  selections  from  "  a  sermon,  the  substance  of 
which  was  delivered  at  Taunton,  Nov.  11,  1784,  upon  the 
day  of  the  execution  of  John  Dixon,  for  burglary,  setat. 
24,  with  an  appendix  on  the  nature  and  enormity  of  bur- 
glary, and  a  sketch  of  Dixon's  life." 


Luke,  xxiii.  42,  43. 

"  And  he  said  unto  Jesus ,  Lord  remember  me  when 
thou  comest  into  thy  Kingdom  ;  and  Jesus  said  unto  him, 
verily  I  say  unto  you,  to  Day  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in 
Paradise" 


IN  this  pitiable  object,  who  stands  before  us,  we  behold, 
at  once,  an  instance  of  the  folly  and  wickedness  of  hu- 
man nature,  and  a  moving  spectacle  of  wonder  and  horror, 
1  to  the  world,  to  angels,  and  to  men.'  He  is  one  of  our 
kindred  race,  who,  for  a  capital  crime,  has  lately  received, 
from  an  earthly  tribunal,  a  sentence  of  death,  which  is  this 
day  to  be  carried  into  final,  fatal  execution  upon  him. 


236  THE   MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

■  '    — __— __ 1 

This  is  the  tragical  scene,  and  most  solemn  occasion, 
which  have  brought  together  this  numerous  assembly.  0 
the  day,  the  critical  day,  is  come !  the  decisive  hour  is  at 
hand,  which  must  end  a  mortal  life,  and  fix  an  immortal 
soul  in  heaven  or  hell !  before  this  sun  goes  down,  his  body, 
now  vigorous  and  active,  will  be  a  lifeless  ghastly  corpse, 
coffined  and  buried,  deep  down  among  the  sheeted  dead, 
while  his  ever-existing  soul,  like  the  dying  miser's  in  the 
gospel,  i  this  night,'  yea,  before  night,  i  will  be  required  of 
him,'  and  sent  into  the  world  of  spirits,  to  smile  or  mourn 
forever.  To  this  poor  prisoner,  therefore,  if  not  to  some 
of  us,  it  is  beyond  all  doubt,  that  this  is  the  last  opportu- 
nity for  public  worship ;  and  the  only  message  from  the 
gospel  of  peace,  which  he  will  ever  hear  in  this  world. 
And  0  may  he  so  hear  that  his  soul  shall  live !  for  this, 
'  God  forbid  that  any  of  us  should  cease  to  pray,'  until  he 
ceases  to  breathe  —  let  every  heart  in  this  great  audience, 
be  lifted  up  to  heaven,  in  fervent,  united  prayer  to  the 
'Father  of  Mercies,'  that  the  same  '  exceeding  abundant 
grace,'  which  was  once  so  gloriously  magnified,  and  most 
triumphantly  displayed,  in  pardoning  a  penitent  thief,  may 
this  clay  reach  and  conquer  the  heart  of  this  malefactor. 
Oh  that  the  divine  Philanthropist,  the  inimitable  original 
of  all  love  and  compassion  to  our  guilty  race,  who  once 
spoke  from  his  own  cross,  the  merciful  words  recorded  in 
the  text,  to  a  dying  criminal,  would  again  speak,  'as  the 
Lord  from  Heaven,'  to  another,  and  '  say  unto  him,  this 
day  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in  Paradise.' 

The  preacher  proposes  to 

1st.  Describe  the  character  of  this  dying  thief,  as  a 
real  penitent. 

2.  Consider  the  promise  our  Lord  made  to  him  as  such. 


237 


3.  Apply  the  subject  to  ourselves  and  to  this  criminal 
in  particular. 

We  have  room  only  for  the  application  of  the  subject  to 
the  prisoner. 

"  Unhappy  young  man,  how  disappointed  in  your  expec- 
tations, how  wretched  and  forlorn  is  your  condition !  '  Have 
pity,  have  pity  upon  you,  0  my  God,  and  look  down  from 
thy  sanctuary  to  hear  the  groaning  of  the  prisoner.'  Time ! 
your  appointed  time  on  earth  is  come,  and  die  you  must, 
in  all  the  bloom  and  vigor  of  youth,  with  breasts  full  of 
milk  and  your  bones  moistened  with  marrow.  This  day, 
which  to  you  is  the  last  of  days,  will  form  the  important 
crisis  that  must  determine  your  happiness  or  misery  for 
ever.  To  day  you  must  appear  before  the  judgment  seat 
of  Christ;  on  the  brink  of  the  grave,  on  the  verge  of  vast 
eternity  you  now  stand ;  and  after  a  few  flying  minutes 
more,  you  will  know  beyond  a  doubt,  that  there  is  a  God, 
a  heaven  and  an  hell.  Behold  the  numerous  guard*  about 
you,  the  executioners  of  justice  await  your  doom,  the  in- 
struments and  appendages  of  death  are  in  sight,  a  coffin 
and  a  grave  for  you  are  open,  a  prisoner  in  chains,  and 
you  cannot  escape ;  this,  ah,  all  this,  have  you  merited  at 
the  hands  of  your  injured  country,  by  the  laws  of  which 
your  mortal  life  is  forfeited,  and  now  demanded  as  the  sac- 
rifice ;  condemned  also  you  are  by  the  laws  of  God,  which 
extend  to  the  thoughts  and  intents  of  the  heart.  The 
wages  of  sin  is  death;  '  the  soul  that  sinneth,  it  shall  die,' 

*  A  guard  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  men  were  ordered  to  attend  the 
execution.  This  added  to  government  a  dignity,  as  well  as  security, 
which  the  Sheriff  exemplified  in  his  own  person,  with  honour  and  ap- 
plause, refusing  a  mercenary  executioner,  offered  him  for  a  mere  pit- 
tance, he  claimed  the  office  as  a  part,  of  his  duty,  and  a  proof  of  his 
fidelity  in  it,  and  with  an  amiahlc  mixture  of  soft  compassion  and  dig- 
nity he  executed  the  criminal  with  his  own  hands. 


238  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

i 

and  '  cursed  is  every  one  who  continueth  not  in  all  thing3 
written  in  the  book  of  the  law  to  do  them';  this  is  the  law, 
with  its  tremendous  sanctions  and  curses ;  and  these  all 
await  you,  as  a  transgressor  of  it  —  offending  in  one  point, 
you  are  guilty  of  all,  and  all  heaven  and  earth  will  sooner 
pass  away  than  one  jot  or  tittle  of  it  fail.  The  tenor  of 
this  law  therefore,  none  can  alter,  the  tone  of  vengeance 
you  cannot  soften,  a  God  all  mercy,  and  too  indulgent  to 
punish  the  wicked,  can  never  be  found ;  '  whose  heart  can 
endure,  or  whose  hands  be  strong,'  when  the  sentence  of 
this  righteous  law  shall  be  executed — was  the  sentence  of 
an  earthly  judge  lately  pronounced,  with  the  meltings 
of  compassion,  and  the  flowing  of  tears,  ordering  you  to 
be  hanged  by  the  neck  till  you  are  dead; — was  this  ter- 
rible to  you,  how  much  more  so  must  it  be  to  hear  your 
almighty  Judge  in  righteous  anger  pronounce  that  unal- 
terable sentence,  6  depart  ye  cursed  into  everlasting  fire.' 
Is  this  then  your  doom  and  just  desert?  Are  your  day  and 
means  of  grace  just  expiring  ?  Have  you  but  a  few  min- 
utes more  to  make  your  peace  with  an  injured  neglected 
God,  and  to  be  made  <  worthy  to  escape  all  these  things, 
and  to  stand  before  the  Son  of  Man?'  Is  this  your  case? 
In  the  name  of  God !  what  can  be  done  ?  What  shall  I  do 
to  be  saved  ?  Is  this  your  heart  ?  Are  you  in  earnest  ?  In 
earnest  then,  and  in  the  language  of  Inspiration,  I  most 
gladly  say,  '  believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  if  thou  be- 
lievest  with  all  thine  heart  thou  shalt  be  saved,'  though  in 
point  of  justice  you  deserve  'to  be  punished  with  everlast- 
ing destruction ;'  Jesus  is  the  end  of  the  law  for  righteous- 
ness ;  he  died  to  redeem  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law ; 
1  he  was  numbered  with  the  transgressors,'  with  thieves  in 
his  death,  that  penitent  thieves  and  transgressors  might  be 


FOBES'  SERMON  IN  1784.  239 

pardoned ;  he  died  for  the  ungodly,  says  an  inspired  apos- 
tle ;  he  died  for  the  unjust,  says  another ;  he  came  to  seek 
and  save  that  which  was  lost,  says  our  Lord ;  and  it  is  a 
faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ 
came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners,  even  the  chief  of  them, 
says  the  apostle.  Now  are  you  ungodly,  are  you  unjust, 
are  you  a  lost  sinner,  or  even  the  chief  of  sinners ;  then 
for  you  he  died,  such  as  these  he  will  save,  save  even  to 
the  uttermost,  if  they  will  come  unto  God  by  him ;  his 
blood  cleanseth  from  all  sin ;  even  though  your  sins  be  as 
scarlet,  they  shall  be  white  as  snow ;  though  they  be  red 
like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as  wool,  saith  the  Lord.  Here 
is  the  door  of  hope,  this  is  the  door  of  mercy,  and  this  the 
fountain  to  which  the  soft  voice  of  invitation  calls  you,  say- 
ing, come  wash  and  be  clean,  turn  and  live,  repent  and  be 
happy ;  whoever  will,  let  him  come,  and  him  that  cometh 
I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out.  I  beseech  you  therefore,  0 
Dixon,  by  all  that  your  soul  is  worth  through  eternity,  and 
by  '  the  price  of  blood,  the  blood  of  God,'  shed  for  its  re- 
demption, that  you  immediately  hear  the  joyful  sound,  and 
instantly  give  your  whole  heart's  consent  to  the  blessed 
covenant  of  gospel  grace.  Now  compose  your  mind,  and 
make  a  pause,  one  solemn,  contemplative  pause,  and  look 
back,  once  more  upon  your  wretched  life  (before  it  trans- 
pires) and  think,  with  bitter  sorrow,  and  remorse  of  heart, 
0  think  how  you  have  lived,  what  you  have  done,  how  you 
have  treated  the  great  God,  his  holy  Spirit  and  blessed 
Son ;  think  how  you  have  injured  your  fellow-men,  sinned 
against  the  light  of  reason,  of  revelation,  and  conscience, 
and  thus  wronged  your  own  soul.  Then  look  within,  and 
you  will  find,  you  will  feel,  if  not  past  feeling,  a  most  vile 
heart,  '  out  of  which  have  proceeded  evil  thoughts,  bias- 


240  THE  MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

pheniies,  thefts,  &c.'  Take  one  more  survey  of  this  heart, 
and  then  '  repent  and  pray  to  God,  if  perhaps  the  thoughts 
of  thy  heart,  and  the  sins  of  thy  whole  life  may  be  both 
forgiven  thee.'  I  say  unto  you,  'what  thou  doest,  do 
quickly;'  your  feet  stand  on  slippery  places,  now  is  your 
time,  now  or  never,  <  now  is  the  accepted  time,'  now  is  the 
day,  and  to  you  the  last,  the  only  day  of  salvation ;  to  day 
therefore,  while  it  is  called  to  day,  harden  not  your  heart. 
Dixon,  you  still  breathe,  your  heart  and  your  pulse  yet 
beat,  and  the  vital  current  moves,  and  blessed  be  God  the 
curse  delays,  the  warning  voice  is  heard,  'you  are  a  pris- 
oner of  hope  ;'  turn,  turn  to  the  strong  hold,  for  why  will 
you  die,  0  young  man.  In  fine,  justify  God,  condemn 
yourself,  prostrate  your  guilty  soul  at  the  foot  of  the  cross ; 
look  up  there,  and  plead  the  merit  and  the  application  of 
that  all-virtuous  blood  which  once  pardoned  a  penitent 
thief,  who  died  upon  it,  and  is  infinitely  sufficient  to  par- 
don and  save  even  you ;  and  having  ascended  the  place  of 
your  execution,  then  rouse,  collect  and  fix  all  your  thoughts, 
and  breathe  out  all  your  soul,  in  faith,  repentance  and 
prayer,  saying, '  Lord  Jesus,  remember  me  in  thy  kingdom,' 
God  be  merciful  to  me  a  dying  sinner.  Farewell,  poor 
John  Dixon,  and  the  Lord  have  mercy  on  you ;  to  day 
may  you  be  with  Christ  in  Paradise  ;  amen,  and  '  let  all  the 
people  say,  amen.'' 

To  this  very  numerous  assembly  I  will  now  turn  the  ad- 
dress, and  close  my  subject.  "Who  can  look  around  upon 
the  numbers  of  all  ranks,  ages,  sexes  and  complexions 
here  present,  and  think  of  the  transactions  of  this  day, 
and  not  be  reminded  of  that  infinitely  more  solemn  '  day 
in  which  God  will  judge  the  world  in  righteousness,  by 
Jesus  Christ.'     Then,  my  friends,  and  perhaps  never  be- 


FOBES'  SERMON  IN  1784.  241 

fore,  shall  we  meet  again,  not  merely  as  spectators,  but  as 
personally  and  deeply  interested  in  all  the  momentous 
scenes  and  decisions  that  will  then  take  place.     The  apos- 
tle's wish  for  his  friend,  is  mine  for  you  and  myself;  'the 
Lord  grant  we  may  all  find  mercy  of  him  in  that  day.' 
To  this   desirable   end,  may  the  public  instructions  and 
warnings  of  this  day  be  improved,  in  particular  that  ex- 
emplary instance  of  justice  upon  the  prisoner  before  us, 
which  is  this  day  under  providence  set  up  at  the  head  of 
this  county  as  a  warning  piece,  let  off,  (as  I  may  say,) 
from  a  cannon  of  our  own  making,  a  salutary  law  of  this 
Commonwealth,  and  which  speaks  aloud  in  the  ears  as  well 
as  to  the  eyes  of  all  that  can  see  or  hear,  crying  from  the 
earth,  like  the  blood  of  murdered  Abel,  for  the  life  of  this 
and  other  malefactors.     Let  all  take  warning,  and  while 
they  see  and  hear,  may  they  fear  and  do  no  more  so 
wickedly ;  l  let  him  that  stole,  steal  no  more,  but  rather 
let  him  labour  with  his  hands  the  thing  which  is  good.' 
Then  may  this  stand  alone,  and  for  the  last,  as  it  is  at 
present  the  second  instance  of  a  capital  execution,  and  the 
first  for  burglary,  since  this  was  a  shire-town — youth,  as 
well  as  parents,  are  particularly  concerned  in  the  admoni- 
tions of  this  day. 

1.  Here  is  a  most  affecting  instance,  my  young  friends, 
before  your  eyes  of  a  vicious  youth,  under  the  age  of 
twenty-four  years,  brought  to  a  disgraceful,  untimely 
death,  by  the  vindictive  hand  of  public  justice ;  and  it  is 
at  once  a  warning  to  you,  and  a  proof  that  God's  own 
words  are  words  of  truth.  Look  on  this  criminal,  and  be- 
lieve that '  he  who  pursueth  evil,  pursueth  it  to  his  own 
death,'  and  that  wicked  men  shall  not  live  out  half  their 
days  ;  believe  also  that  he  who  being  often  reproved  harc1- 
21 


'24:2 


THE  MINISTRY   OP   TAUNTON. 


eneth  his  neck,  shall  himself  suddenly  be  destroyed,  and 
that  without  remedy :  hearken  then  to  the  voice  of  a  re- 
proof from  your  parents  and  friends,  from  the  word  and 
providence  of  God :  take  heed  to  your  ways,  shun  the  vi- 
ces and  paths  of  the  destroyer ;  (  flee  youthful  lusts  which 
war  against  the  soul.'  and  wound  to  death  your  own  repu- 
tation and  the  Weeding  hearts  of  your  tender  parents  ;  be- 
ware, especially  beware  of  gaming,  and  that  intemperate 
use  of  spirituous  liquor*  to  which  this  ill-fated  youth  was 
so  infamously  addicted,  and  which,  by  the  confession  of  his 
own  mouth,  had  the  principal  hand  in  bringing  him  to  this 
miserable  end.     This  is  indeed  a  sore  evil  under  the  sun, 
and  it  is  now  common  among  men  ;  like  a  pestilence,  -it 
walketh  in  darkness  and  wasreth  at  noon  day !'     A  most 
pernicious  evil,  full  of  deadly  poison  to  the  manners  and 
morals  of  youth  :  a  detestable  Pandora's  box,  whence  issue 
whole  swarms  of  plagues,  more  numerous  'and  fatal  than 
those  of  Egypt,  to  sting  and  disturb  mankind  in  all  then- 
peace  of  society,  both  in  towns  and  families;  yea,  it  now 
threatens  with  one  mingled  mass  of  nun,  the  health  and 
happiness,  the  lives,  fortunes  and  souls  of  the  most  prom- 
ising part  of  God's  creation:  *  Who  hath  woe  ?  Who  hath 
m  ':  Who  hath  contentions  ?  Who  hath  babbling?  Who 
hath  wounds,  with  and  without  a   cause  ?    Who  hath  red- 
ness of  eyes':'     Who  are  poor,  and  steal,  and  take  the 
name  of  the  Lord  in  vain?  Who  break  up  houses,  commit 
murder,  are  confined  to  prisons,  loaded  with  irons,  and  die 
upon  the   gallows  ?     •  They  that  tarry  long  at  the  wine, 
they  that  mixt  wine,  and  are  mighty  to  drink 

ink.'  This  execution  alas !  will  make  the  third 
in  this  county,  occasioned  by  spirituous  liquors ;  two  men 
in  a  fit  of  intoxication  committed  murder,  and  suffered  the 


FOBES'    SERMON   IN   1784.  243 

pains  of  death,  at  Bristol,  upwards  of  seventy-five  years 
ago ;  these  were  Indians,  and  would  to  God  that  human 
nature  might  never  again  be  so  brutalized  and  rankly  dis- 
graced by  any  but  Indians  alone.  Could  I  speak  in  thun- 
der, and  my  voice  be  heard  from  pole  to  pole,  it  should  be 
the  friendly  voice  of  warning  to  young  men,  entreating 
them,  by  every  thing  that  is  dear  and  valuable,  to  shun  the 
company  and  the  haunts  of  tipplers  and  gamblers  ;  \  come 
not  nigh  the  door  of  the  house,  avoid  it,  pass  not  by  it, 
turn  from  it  and  pass  away.' 

2.  This  example  of  condign  punishment  speaks  aloud 
and  home  to  parents  and  all  who  are  entrusted  with  the 
'care  and  education  of  children.  Next  to  intemperance, 
as  a  cause,  this  malefactor  ascribes  his  licentious  life  and 
ignominious  death  to  the  want  of  proper  restraint  in  youth ; 
left  to  the  care  of  a  mother  when  young,  he  had,  like  too 
many  others,  his  own  way  and  will  without  control.  His 
parent  we  are  told  is  yet  alive,  if  a  parent  can  live  who 
has  '  travailed  in  birth  and  drawn  out  the  breasts '  to  such 
a  son !  Can  words  express  the  feelings  of  a  parent's  heart 
on  such  an  occasion ;  put  your  soul  in  her  soul's  stead  this 
day,  and  imagine  for  once,  you  who  are  parents,  if  the 
thought  is  not  insupportable,  that  this  was  your  own  son! 
a  son  who  had  '  made  himself  vile,  and  you  restrained  him 
not,'  a  son,  whose  education,  whose  morals  and  immortal 
soul  you  had  neglected,  and  now  is  trembling  in  chains, 
with  the  strangling  noose  about  his  neck,  and  '  made  a 
gazing  stock '  to  thousands  around  him  —  at  length  you 
follow  him  to  the  place  of  execution ;  there  stand  the  father 
who  begat  him,  and  the  mother  who  bore  him,  beholding 
their  son  writhing  in  the  agonies  of  death,  and  they  for 
him,  in  agonies  as  great  of  living  distress ;  0  how  they 


244  THE   MINISTRY   OP   TAUNTON. 

wring  their  hands,  and  almost  gnaw  their  tongues,  while 
they  cry,  'nry  son,  my  son,  would  to  God  I  might  die  for 
thee,  0  my  son,  my  son,'  I  am  the  criminal,  and  I  the 
guilty  thief;  'his  blood  be  upon  us,  and  not  upon  our 
child ;'  we  are  the  faulty  cause  ;  our  cruel  neglect  of  time- 
ly instructions,  a  good  example,  and  the  rod  of  correction, 
have  murdered  our  son  !  The  Bible  and  experience  both 
told  us  to  train  him  up  in  the  way  he  should  go,  and  that 
when  he  was  old  he  would  not  depart ;  we  were  command- 
ed to  beat  him  with  a  rod,  and  not  spare  for  his  crying, 
with  a  promise  that  he  should  not  die  an  untimely  death, 
and  that  we  should  deliver  his  soul  from  hell ;  but  Oh ! 
'  we  are  guilty,  verily  guilty,  concerning  our  son,  and 
therefore  is  this  distress  come  upon  us,'  as  a  just  punish- 
ment of  our  folly  as  well  as  his  own ;  go  now  and  writo 
him  a  monster !  pronounce  that  heart  '  an  heart  of  stone, 
which  is  not  melted  and  moved  out  of  its  place  ;'  even  in 
sympathy  with  such  pungent  parental  distress ;  and  may 
both  the  sleeping  and  waking  hours  of  that  parent,  be  per- 
petually haunted  with  all  the  tragical  operations  of  this 
day,  who  can  after  all  go  home,  and  neglect  the  education 
of  his  own  children;  yea,  let  him  take  his  rank  in  future 
with  '  the  cruel  ostrich  in  the  wilderness,'  because  he  is 
hardened  against  his  young,  as  though  they  were  not  his 
own. 

3.  This  public  example  of  justice  adds  to  the  proof,  al- 
ready large,  of  the  existence  and  wisdom  of  a  special  prov- 
idence :  '  Verily  there  is  a  God  that  judgeth  in  the  heav- 
ens and  in  the  earth.'  To  deter  men  from  vice,  the  Deity 
has  mercifully  mingled  pain  and  punishment  with  the  very 
nature  and  perpetration  of  it ;  if  we  look  within  we  shall 
find,  wo  shall  feel  a  demonstration  of  this.     Envy  and 


FOBES'  SERMON  IN  1784.  245 

malice,  rancor  and  revenge,  &c,  are  'a  generation  of  vi- 
pers '  in  the  soul,  perpetually  stinging  and  gnawing  upon 
it ;  yea,  they  create  in  that  bosom,  which  is  their  nest,  a 
little  domestic  hell,  'ivhere  the  worm9  of  envy  '  dieth  not, 
and  the  fire''  of  malice  lis  not  quenched.'9  Vices  torment 
the  soul,  however,  not  merely  from  their  nature,  and  when 
separately  indulged,  but  from  their  number  and  combina- 
tion. So  numerous,  and  so  contrary,  in  their  desires  and 
separate  interests,  that  they  raise  a  kind  of  civil  war  with- 
in; for  while  one  lust  is  gratified,  another  is  displeased; 
while  the  man  humours  and  feeds  his  covetousness,  he  is 
obliged  to  starve  luxury  and  affront  his  pride ;  and  even 
should  '  Beelzebub  cast  out  devils,'  or  one  predominant  mas- 
ter lust  conquer  a  number  of  its  inferiors,  there  would  be 
even  in  this  infernal  conquest  an  opposition,  which  must 
create  pain  and  vexation.  But  if  to  the  misery  which  is 
entailed  on  vice,  in  its  nature  and  in  their  jaring  numbers, 
we  add  that  which  both  attends  and  follows  vicious  actions, 
we  shall  still  have  a  greater  proof  of  the  wisdom  and  good- 
ness of  divine  providence,  by  which  it  is  evidently  decreed, 
that  bold  transgressors  shall  not  only  be  punished  in  this 
world,  but  in  numberless  instances  shall  in  fact  be  punish- 
ed according  to  the  laws  of  a  strict  retaliation.  I  have 
seen  (says  Eliphaz)  that  they  who  plow  iniquity  and  sow 
wickedness  reap  the  same ;  his  mischief  (says  the  Psalm- 
ist) shall  return  upon  his  own  head,  and  his  violent  deal- 
ings shall  come  down  upon  his  own  pate ;  and  even  after 
conscience  hath  long  slept,  and  no  human  justice  could 
pursue  the  criminal,  his  own  iniquity  has  at  last  found  him 
out,  and  by  some  remarkable  incident  in  providence  brought 
him  to  deserved  punishment.  In  this  view  it  is  worthy  of 
observation,  that  soon  after  the  commitment  of  this  prison- 
21* 


246  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

er  to  the  goal  in  this  town,  he  was  providentially  discover- 
ed late  in  the  night  upon  the  point  of  an  escape  from  this, 
as  he  had  before  done  from  every  other  prison  he  had  been 
confined  to ;  this  alarmed  the  sheriff,  who  knowing  and  la- 
menting the  enfeebled  state  of  the  gaol,  thought  it  unsafe 
to  risque  a  second  attempt,  and  therefore  appointed  him  a 
guard  ;  and  to  this  single  circumstance,  however  trifling  or 
accidental  it  may  appear,  must  be  ascribed  under  provi- 
dence, the  memorable  event  of  this  day.  Rather  than 
wicked  men  should  go  unpunished,  by  any  neglect  of  gov- 
ernment, all-wise  providence  will  take  occasion  from  that 
neglect,  and  make  a  superannuated  gaol  the  very  means  of 
their  execution.  '  The  weakness  of  God  is  stronger  than 
men,'  and  ever  will  be  too  strong  for  the  guilty  to  escape. 
Let  us,  especially  of  this  county,  notice  a  providence  so 
friendly  to  government,  and  remember  that  this  in  full  can- 
not be  done  until  the  new  proposed  gaol  shall  be  complet- 
ed, with  every  needful  precaution  of  strength  and  security. 
Finally, 

When  we  look  at  this  unhappy  criminal,  and  think  what 
would  the  poor  wretch  give  that  he  were  in  our  condition : 
Let  none  of  us  indulge,  or  nourish  in  our  hearts  the  pride 
of  the  Pharisee,  or  even  so  much  as  think,  in  a  way  of 
boasting,  what  he  spoke  with  his  mouth,  '  God  I  thank 
thee,  that  I  am  not  as  other  men,  or  even  as  this  malefac- 
tor ;'  when  perhaps  the  principal  distinction  between  him 
and  numbers  here  present  may  be  nothing  more  than  the 
gilding  of  a  coffin  or  the  paint  of  a  sepulchre  ;  and  even 
of  some  others,  the  difference  may  consist  only  in  this,  that 
he  is  detected  and  condemned,  but  they  as  yet  are  con- 
cealed from  human  eye,  while  in  the  eye  of  God  omnis- 
cient, both  they  and  we  and  <  all  have  sinned,  and  come 


STEPHEN  HULL.       ENOCH   SANFORD.  247 

short  of  his  glory.'  Condemned  therefore  by  the  same 
law,  guilty  before  the  same  God,  we  are  all  the  prisoners  of 
divine  justice,  and  equally  need  repentance  and  pardoning 
mercy,  through  the  blood  of  the  same  atonement.  '  Ex- 
cept ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish ;'  repent  there- 
fore, let  us  all,  and  <  be  converted,  that  we  may  have  re- 
demption through  the  blood  of  Christ,  even  the  forgiveness 
of  sins,  according  to  the  riches  of  his  grace ;  and  receive 
in  the  end  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  the  inheritance,  in 
his  everlasting  kingdom.'     Amen." 

Rev.  Stephen  Hull  succeeded  Doctor  Fobes  in  the 
ministry  of  Raynham.  He  had  a  previous  settlement  in 
Amesbury  of  this  State,  and  was  installed*  in  Raynham, 
September  9,  1812,  about  seven  months  after  the  decease 
of  his  predecessor.  He  continued  Pastor  till  May  1,  1823, 
when,  on  his  own  request,  he  was  dismissed.  He  after- 
wards preached  at  Carlisle.  During  Mr.  Hull's  ministry 
of  nearly  eleven  years,  fifty-two  persons  were  received  to 
the  church.  In  1820,  there  was  an  unusual  religious  in- 
terest, and  not  far  from  forty  united  with  the  People  of 
God. 

Rev.  Enoch  Sanford  succeeded  Mr.  Hull,  and  was 
the  fourth  minister  of  Raynham.  His  ordination  took 
place  October  2,  1823.  Mr.  Sanford  was  a  native  of 
Berkley,  in  1795,  a  graduate  of  Brown  University  in 
1820,  where  he  was  called  to  be  Tutor,  at  the  same  time 
with  Hon.  Horace  Mann,  a  graduate  of  the  preceding 

*  Rev.  Elias  Hull  of  Seabrook,  N.  H.,  offered  the  Introductory  Prayer ; 
Rev.  Mr.  Milton  of  Newbury,  preached  the  sermon;  Rev.  Doctor 
Sanger  of  Bridgewater,  gave  tne  Charge ;  Rev.  Mr.  Barker  of  Middle- 
boro',  offered  the  Consecrating  Prayer ;  Rev.  Mr.  Gurney  of  Middlebo- 
ro',  gave  the  Right  Hand  of  Fellowship ;  Rev.  Doctor  Reed  of  Bridge- 
water,  offered  the  Concluding  Prayer. 


248  THE"  MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

year.  Mr.  Sanford  retained  the  Pastoral  office  in  Rayn- 
ham, till  1847,  since  which  time,  he  has  officiated  at  Hali- 
fax and  North  Raj^nham. 

Rev.  Robert  Carver  succeeded  Mr.  Sanford  and  is 
the  present  Pastor.  Mr.  Carver  was  born  in  Taunton, 
graduated  at  Yale,  in  1833,  was  settled  for  a  time  in  Ber- 
lin, Mass.,  and  afterwards  installed  in  Raynham,  Decem- 
ber 1,  1847. 

Calvlnistic  JBajjtist   Church. 

Doctor  Fobes  stated  in  1793,  (in  his  Topographical  de- 
scription of  Raynham,)  that  "nearly  one  third  part  of  the 
two  hundred  families"  then  in  Raynham  were  "  of  the 
Baptist  denomination."  They  held  their  meetings  at  first 
in  private  houses.  They  now  have  a  neat  place  of  wor- 
ship in  the  south-easterly  part  of  the  town,  bordering  on 
Middleboro'.  Elder  Briggs,  who  died  not  long  since  in  a 
good  old  age,  in  Middleboro',  preached  for  many  years  to 
this  people.  They  have  now  no  settled  minister  among 
them. 

The  Second  Congregational  Church. 

This  was  formed  during  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Mr.  San- 
ford, in  April,  1828 ;  when  twenty-five  individuals  con- 
nected with  the  original  church,  withdrew,  and  established 
a  separate  meeting. 

With  the  exception  of  occasional  supplies  from  other 
sources,  this  church  and  society  enjoyed  the  Pastoral  labor 
of  Rev.   Simeon  Doggett,*  son-in-law  of  Doctor  Fobes, 

*  Mr.  Deane  has  traced  the  descent  of  his  father-in-law  as  follows: — 
Thomas  Doggett  was  at  Marshfield  in  1654:  married  17  May,  1654, 
to  Joan  Chillingworth,  widow  of  Thomas  Chilliugworth,  and  died  Sep- 
tember, 1692.     He  left  children:  Rebeckah,  born  29  July,  1655,  Samuel, 


SIMEON  DOGGETT.  _  249 


until  their  suspension  of  stated  public  worship  some  two  or 
three  years  since.  Rev.  Mr.  Dogget  was  the  first  Prin- 
cipal of  Bristol  Academy.  He  delivered  the  address  at 
its  dedication  and  opening,  the  18th  day  of  July,  1T96, 
which  was  requested  for  the  press  through  a  Committee  of 
the  Trustees,  consisting  of  Mr.  Joseph  Tisdale,  Apollos 
Leonard,  Esq.,  Doctor  Peres  Fobes,  James  Williams,  Esq., 
and  Hon.  Seth  Padelford.  It  was  printed  the  year  follow- 
ing by  J.  Spooner  of  New-Bedford,  and  is  a  discourse  on 
education  well  worthy  of  publication. 

Mr.  Doggett  died  March  20,  1852,  aged  eighty-seven 
years  and  fourteen  days. 

Union  Meeting. 

This  is  held  in  a  small  chapel  erected  by  the  Old  Col- 
ony Iron  Company,  on  the  Baynham  side  of  the  river,  at 
Squawbetty.  It  was  consecrated  by  ministers  of  different 
denominations  about  ten  years  ago,  and  has  been  open  for 
religious  services  of  various  kinds  most  of  the  time  since. 
There  is  an  interesting  Sabbath  School  connected  with  the 
meeting. 

who  lived  in  Scituate  many  years,  whose  posterity  settled  in  Boston, 
and  John,  the  father  of  Thomas  and  Hannah.  Hannah  died  without 
issue.  Thomas,  who  lived  in  Marshfield,  had  children,  John  and  Thom- 
as. John  died  without  issue.  Thomas  married  Joanna  Fuller,  moved 
to  Middleboro'  in  1742;  became  a  respectable  farmer,  had  six  sons  and 
two  daughters.  Of  these,  Simeon,  born  January  7,  1738,  married  a 
Pratt,  and  had  children,  Elkanah,  who  died  set.  28 ;  Abigail,  who  mar- 
ried a  Weston,  of  Middleboro' ;  Thomas,  who  married  Phebe  Dean,  of 
Taunton;  and  Simeon,  who  married  Nancy  Fobes,  of  Raynham. 


250  THE. MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


CHURCHES   AND   MINISTRY   OF   BERKLEY. 

Berkley*  became  a  distinct  townf  in  1735,  having  been 
like  Ray  imam,  a  part  of  the  original  purchase  in  1637, 
although  a  portion  of  it  belonged  to  the  South  Purchase, 
and  had  been  included  in  Dighton,  up  to  the  time  of  its 
becoming  a  separate  township. 

A  church  was  organized  in  Berkley  Nov.  2,  1737. 
"  The  Council  convened  for  the  purpose  was  composed  of 
the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Fisher,  Rev.  Benjamin  Ruggles,  and 
Rev.  Thomas  Clap,  with  their  delegates.  It  then  consist- 
ed of  eighteen  (forty-nine)  members.":): 

*  "Whether  the  town  was  named  in  honor  of  the  distinguished  Bishop 
Berkley  I  am  unable  to  say.  When  we  remember  that  the  residence  of 
the  Bishop,  when  in  this  country,  was  at  Newport.  R.  I.,  a  town  not  far 
removed,  and  that  his  fame  as  a  liberal,  high-minded  man  —  the  patron 
of  learning  and  religion  was  then  at  its  zenith,  it  appears  not  unlikely 
that  our  father-  thought  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  a  man,  t:  willing 
to  relinquish  all  his  preferments,  and  to  dedicate  his  days  to  the  office  of 
instructing  American  youth,"  in  some  such  way.  Tradition  affirms, 
that  the  author  of  the  "  Minute  Philosopher  "  sent  the  people  of  Berk- 
ley an  expensive  Organ,  which  they  in  the  simplicity  of  their  worship, 
respectfully  declined  accepting.  We  are  also  assured,  that  this  same 
Organ  is  now  in  one  of  the  Churches  in  Newport. 

t  It  is  stated  in  the  Am.  Quart.  Reg.  (vol.  12.  p.  139.)  that  by  the 
Act  of  Incorporation,  the  town  was  required  to  build  a  meeting-house 
and  settle  a  minister. 

X  Richard  Storrs  Andros,  son  of  Rev.  Thomas  Andros,  communicat- 
ed the  above  farts.  Rev.  L.  R.  Eastman,  now  settled  in  Berkley,  made 
out  a  catalogue  of  members  in  1847  and  reckoned  fifty  original  members. 
According  to  the  Records  of  the  Church,  which  have  recently  passed  in- 
to my  hands,  there  were  forty-nine.  Their  names  were  as  follows  :  Sam- 
uel Tobey,  Pastor;   Elkanah  Babbit,  Ebenezer  Hathaway,   Gershom 


SAMUEL   TOBEY.     ■  251 


Rev.  Samuel  Tobey  was  the  first  Pastor  of  the  church 
in  Berkley.  Born  in  Sandwich  in  1715,  he  graduated  at 
Cambridge  in  1733,  and  was  ordained  in  Berkley  Nov. 
23,  1737,  the  same  month  with  the  organization  of  the 
church.*  His  ministry  extended  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  suddenly  Feb.  13,  1781,  including  a  peri- 
od therefore  of  nearly  forty-four  years. 

Crane,  John  French,  Ebenezer  Phillips,  John  Briggs,  Ephraim  Allen, 
Benjamin  Leonard,  John  Hudson,  Josiah  Babbit,  Benjamin  Babbit, 
George  Babbit,  Daniel  Axtell,  in  number  fourteen  :  Abigail  Burt,  Mary- 
Phillips,  Mary  Jones,  Hopestill  Harvey,  Hannah  French,  Experience 
Myriek,  Hopestill  Woods,  Elizabeth  HolloAvay,  Mary  Babbit,  Sarah 
Briggs,  Abigail  Babbit,  Dorcas  Jones,  Hopestill  Phillips,  Zipporah  Allen, 
Elizabeth  Paul,  Dorcas  Babbit,  Waitstill  Axtell,  Phebe  Reed,  Jamina 
Hathaway,  Abigail  Burt,  being  in  number,  twenty  —  all  these  belonging 
before  to  the  churches  of  Dighton  and  Taunton. 

Taken  into  ye  church  ye  same  day,  and  gathered  with  ye  before  men- 
tioned ones  ye  following  persons  :  Males  ;  Edward  Paull,  Adam  Jones, 
Benjamin  Paull,  Joseph  Burt,  Samuel  Myrick,  John  Paull,  James  Phil- 
lips. Seth  Briggs,  Benjamin  Babbit,  Samuel  Jones,  Isaac  Babbit,  being 
in  number,  eleven  —  Females ;  Ann  Briggs,  Mary  Phillips,  Mehitable 
Babbit.  Sarah  Darling,  being  in  number,  four.  The  Lord  bless  them 
all.  All  of  which  being  added  together  make  a  church  of  forty-nine 
persons :  25  males  ;  24  females." 

I  have  copied  these  names,  as  they  appear  in  the  catalogue  of  mem- 
bers, without  regard  to  alphabetical  or  family  arrangement,  that  the 
original  might  be  strictly  adhered  to.  This  course  has  been  pursued  in 
previous  lists,  which  I  have  had  occasion  to  introduce  in  this  work,  that 
I  might  not,  even  in  the  small  matter  comparatively  of  collocation,  de- 
viate from  the  record.  Gershom  Crane,  and  Daniel  Axtell  were  ap- 
pointed Deacons.  Although  neither  Mr.  Andros  nor  Mr.  Eastman  have 
stated  the  number  of  the  original  members  with  perfect  accuracy,  the 
records  confirm  the  statement  of  the  former  concerning  the  organization 
of  the  church  :  "November  ye  2d,  1737.  The  church  was  Embodied  by 
ye  Rev'd  Mr.  Nathaniel  Fisher,  Benjamin  Buggies,  and  Thomas  Clap 
with  yr  Delegates." 

*  The  Book  of  Records  already  referred  to,  in  the  hand  writing  of 
Mr.  Tobey,  contains  the  following  entries  concerning  the  call  and  set- 
tlement of  the  first  minister  of  Berkley.  "January  ye  1st,  1736,  I  was 
invited  to  preach  at  Berkley,  and  accordingly  came.  August  ye  3d, 
1736,  the  people  of  Berkley  gave  me  a  call  to  settle  among  them,  in  ye 
work  of  ye  ministry,  offering  me  two  hundred  pounds  for  my  settlement, 
and  one  hundred  for  my  salary.  Sept.  ye  1st,  ensuing,  I  met  with  ye 
town,  and  by  their  adding  to  their  first  offer  ye  contribution  money  which 
should  be  contributed  every  Sabbath,  and  stating  my  salary  at  silver  26s 
per  oz.  I  accepted  yr  call.  November  ye  23,  1737,  I  was  ordained  Pas- 
tor over  the  church  and  congregation  in  Berkley.     The  Rev'd  Elders 


252  THE   MINISTRY   OP  TAUXTOX. 

In  the  Church  Record  Book,  which  appears  to  have 
been  kept  with  great  fidelity  by  Mr.  Tobey,  and  unlike 
those  of  many  other  churches  has  fortunately  escaped  the 
ravages  of  time,  are  to  be  found  interesting  matters  per- 
sonal :  "  Sept.  ye  6th,  1738,  I  was  married  to  Bathsheba 
Crocker.*  October  ye  31,  I  moved  into  my  House. f 
Will  God  speak  well  of  ye  House  of  His  servants  for  a 
great  while  to  come,  and  as  for  me  and  my  Household,  we 
will  serve  ye  Lord.  Celia,  our  first  child,  born  August  ye 
29th,  1739,  on  Wednesday,  between  one  and  two  at  night. 
Samuel,  our  second  child,  born  August  ye  11th,  1741,  on 
Tuesday,  about  sunset.  May  ye  28th,  1743,  my  dear 
child  Samuel  died,  on  Saturday,  a  little  after  sun-rising ; 
oh,  that  his  death  might  be  sanctified  unto  us,  his  Parents, 
for  our  spiritual  good.  June  ye  5th,  1743,  our  third  child 
born,  on  ye  first  day  of  ye  week,  early  in  ye  morning. 
Baptized  ye  same  day  by  ye  name  of  Samuel.  Sept.  ye 
25th,  1745,  our  fourth  child  born  on  Wednesday  about  8 
of  ye  clock,  in  ye  morning,  called  Timothy.  Nathaniel, 
our  fifth  child  born  August  the  17th,  1747,  on  Monday 
morning,  about  3  of  ye  clock.  Isaac,  our  sixth  child, 
born  July  ye  20th,  1749,  on  Thursday,  between  seven  and 
eight  at  night.  Enoch,  our  seventh  child,  born  Sept.  ye 
2d,  1751,  on  Monday  evening,  between  eight  and  nine  of 

assisting  were.  Mr.  Billings  Mr.  Fisher,  Mr.  Fessenden.  and  Mr.  Wales- 
Mr.  Wales  having  Prayed.  Mr.  Fessenden  Preached  an  excellent  sermon 
from  these  words  in  the  2d  Coloss.  5,  Joying  and  heholding  your  order ; 
after  which  Mr.  Billings  gave  me  the  Charge.  Mr.  Fisher  ye  Right  Hand. 
All  performed  to  good  acceptance.'" 

*  Ruth  Tobey,  a  grand-daughter  of  the  minister,  informs  me  that  her 
grand-father  was  one  of  eleven  children,  and  that  his  wife  was  daughter 
of  Timothy  Crocker  of  Barnstable.  She  was  probably  related  to  Rev. 
Josiah  Crocker  of  Taunton. 

t  His  ■  house "  was  north-east  of  the  ;-  Berkley  common."  The 
meeting-house  was  on  the  south  side  of  the  "  common."'  The  first  Con- 
gregational Society  are  occupying  their  third  house  on  the  same  site. 


SAMUEL  TOBEY.  253 


ye  clock.  Aletheia,  our  eighth  child,  born  March  ye  3d, 
1754,  on  ye  Sabbath,  about  5  of  ye  clock,  p.  M.  Sept.  ye 
9th,  1756,  my  ninth  child  born  on  Thursday  at  about  4  of 
ye  clock  in  ye  afternoon,  called  Bathsheba.  Feb'ry  ye 
4th,  1759,  my  tenth  child  was  born  about  5  of  ye  clock 
on  Sabbath  morning,  called  Abigail :  Died  Nov.  29, 1778. 
Sept.  ye  6th,  1761,  my  wife  was  delivered  of  two  sons ; 
ye  first  was  born  about  nine  of  ye  clock,  Sabbath  Day 
night,  ye  second  about  ten  of  ye  clock,  viz  :  Paul  and  Silas, 

Nov'br  29th,  1778,  Nabby  died  in  ye  Twentieth  year  of 
her  age." 

Of  the  above  children,  Celia  mar.  Abial  Deane  of  Asso- 
net  Neck.  Timothy  mar.  Mary  Holloway.  Nathaniel 
mar.  Abigail,  daughter  of  Stephen  Burt  of  Berkley. 
Isaac  mar.  (1)  Lydia,  daughter  of  Col.  George  Williams, 
(2)  Deborah,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Williams,  Esq.; 
Enoch  mar.  Rebecca  Littlefield,  of  Newport,  R.  I.;  Ale- 
theia mar.  Edward  Paull  of  Taunton ;  Bathsheba  mar. 
Gideon  Babbitt  of  Dighton ;  Paul  mar.  Betsey  Parker  of 
Barre,  Mass  ;  Silas  died  single  at  Port  au  Prince,  W.  I. ; 
Samuel,  the  oldest  son  who  lived,  mar.  Experience  Paull 
of  Berkley  (according  to  the  record  of  his  father,  who 
performed  the  service)  "  Sept.  ye  6th,  1768."  This  son 
became  one  of  the  most  eminent  and  influential  citizens  of 
Berkley.  He  filled  many  offices  of  public  trust,  and  was 
honored  with  a  seat  on  the  Bench  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas.  He  had  ten  children,  viz :  Achsah,  who  married 
Roger  French  of  Berkley,  and  is  yet  living  in  Barnard,  Vt.; 
Apollos,  who  married  Hannah  Crane  of  Berkley :  Ruth, 
who  still  lives,  and  leads  a  single  life  ;  Betsey,  who  mar. 
Tisdale  Porter,  of  Berkley  ;  Samuel,  who  died  young ; 
Enoch,  who  mar.  Sally  Barnaby  of  Freetown  ;  Peddy, 
22 


254  TnE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

who  mar.  Thomas  Richmond,  m.  d.,  of  Dighton,  whose  son 
Rev.  Thomas  Richmond  is  now  settled  in  Medfield,  Mass. ; 
Bathsheba,  wlio  mar.  Rev.  Abraham  Gushe  of  Dighton ; 
Rowena,  who  died  single  ;  Silas,  who  mar.  Betsey,  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  Jabez  Fuller  of  Kingston. 

It  is  not  known  that  Rev.  Mr.  Tobey  ever  committed 
any  production  to  the  press.  Nor  have  we  been  able  to 
obtain  possession  of  any  of  his  manuscripts.  They  have 
probably  been  destroyed. 

Rev.  Thomas  Andros  succeeded  Mr.  Tobey  in  the 
pastoral  office  in  Berkley.  The  following  interesting  no- 
tice of  Mr.  Andros  has  been  furnished  me  by  one  of  his 
sons,  Richard  S.  Storrs  Andros,  Esq. 

"  Thomas  Andros,  the  youngest  of  three  brothers,  was 
born  at  Norwich,  Conn.,  on  the  1st  of  May,  1759.  While 
he  was  yet  in  childhood,  his  father,  who  was  a  merchant, 
died,  leaving  his  family  in  comparatively  straitened  cir- 
cumstances. His  mother,  who  by  this  event,  had  im- 
posed upon  her  the  responsibility  of  the  rearing  and  edu- 
cation of  four  children,  and  who  seems  to  have  been  a 
woman  of  more  than  ordinary  strong  sense  and  energy  of 
character,  subsequently  removed  with  her  charge,  to  Plain- 
field,  where,  and  in  the  vicinity,  her  immediate  relatives 
and  friends  resided.  Limited  as  in  that  day  were  the  means 
of  education,  —  that  noblest  of  all  our  institutions,  the  com- 
mon school,  by  which  the  ability  to  acquire  knowledge  is 
now  placed  within  the  reach  of  every  New-England  child, 
having  then,  hardly  an  existence  — it  may  well  be  suppos- 
ed that  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  deficient  as  he  was  in 
pecuniary  means,  enjoyed  in  his  youth  but  few  advantages 
of  mental  cultivation.  Indeed,  he  was  early  inured  to 
bodily  labor,  and  his  younger  years  were  divided  between 


THOMAS   ANDROS.  255 


the  farm  and  the  work-shop.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Revolutionary  war,  in  1775,  though  but  a  youth  of  16,  he 
was  among  the  first  to  enrol  himself  as  a  soldier  in  the 
Continental  service,  and  shortly  after  joined  the  Ameri- 
can Army,  then  encamped  at  Cambridge.  On  the  evacu- 
ation of  Boston,  he  accompanied  the  army  to  New- York, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Long  Island  and 
White  Plains.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service, 
he  returned  to  his  home  in  Connecticut.  He  subsequently, 
however,  entered  the  service  again,  and  attached  to  the 
division  sent  against  Rhode  Island  under  Gen.  Sullivan, 
was  engaged  in  the  conflict  at  Butt's  Hill.  He  also  serv- 
ed in  the  militia  of  his  native  State,  at  several  periods, 
during  the  war,  when  not  in  the  Continental  service,  until 
1781,  in  which  year  he  enlisted  on  board  a  private-armed 
vessel,  fitted  out  at  New-London,  and  proceeded  to  sea. 
His  cruise,  however,  was  not  a  long  one.  Detailed  as  one 
of  the  crew  to  take  a  prize  into  port,  he  was  captured  by 
an  English  frigate,  and  a  few  days  afterwards,  he  found 
himself,  with  his  fellow  seamen,  a  prisoner  of  war,  on 
board  the  old  Jersey  prison-ship,  in  New- York  harbor. 
Here,  for  some  months,  he  remained,  with  no  prospect  but 
that  of  death  before  him.  After  a  confinement  of  several 
months,  however,  he  succeeded  in  a  manner  singularly 
providential,  in  effecting  his  escape,  and  after  suffering 
almost  incredible  hardships  and  innumerable  perils,  finally 
reached  the  house  of  his  mother.  A  narrative  of  this  epi- 
sode in  the  life  of  Mr.  Andros  was  published  by  him  seve- 
ral years  previous  to  his  death,  and  to  this  we  refer  the 
reader  for  a  more  particular  account  of  his  sufferings  and 
dangers.  A  severe  sickness  prostrated  him  for  many 
months  after  his  self-restoration  to  liberty  and  home,  his 


256  THE   MINISTRY   Of   TAUNTON. 

recovery  from  which  was  esteemed  by  himself  and  his 
friends  as  -well  nigh  miraculous.  It  was  probably  this  near 
approach  to  death,  by  which  the  doors  of  the  future  world 
were,  as  it  were,  opened  wide  before  him,  that  fixed  his 
subsequent  career,  and  led  him  to  dedicate  the  remainder 
of  his  life  to  the  work  of  his  Redeemer.  As  soon  as  his 
health  had  become  in  a  measure  restored,  he  applied  him- 
self to  study,  and  by  perseverance  and  untiring  assiduity, 
with  no  instruction  but  such  as  was  occasionally  afforded 
him  by  some  kind  and  more  fortunate  friend,  he  soon  ac- 
quired such  an  education  as  enabled  him  to  undertake  the 
instruction  of  others.  Devoting  his  days  to  school,  and 
his  nights  to  his  own  improvement  he  soon  became  so  far 
advanced  as  to  enter  upon  the  preparation  for  his  profes- 
sion. To  a  profound  knowledge  of  his  own  language  he 
speedily  united  a  thorough  acquaintance  with  the  ancient 
languages,  acquirements  which  proved  of  eminent  value 
to  him  in  his  after  life,  in  enabling  him  to  eke  out  the 
slender  support  afforded  him  by  his  compensation,  by  the 
preparation  of  candidates  for  the  University,  whose  privi- 
leges, though  not  its  honors,  had  been  denied  to  himself. 
He  at  length  entered  upon  the  study  of  Divinity  under 
the  care  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Benedict,  of  Plainfield,  Conn.,  a 
man  of  enlarged  mind  and  profound  piety,  of  whom  he 
was  through  life  accustomed  to  speak  with  the  utmost 
veneration  as  a  Theologian  and  Christian.  Having  com- 
pleted his  clerical  studies  he  was  invited  to  accept  the  pas- 
toral charge  of  the  church  and  parish  in  Berkley,  then 
recently  left  vacant  by  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Tobey.  Accepting  the  call,  he  was  ordained  on  the  19th 
of  March,  1788.  It  was  here  that  his  labors  as  a  minis- 
ter of  the  Gospel  commenced,  and  it  was  here,  fifty-seven 


THOMAS   ANDROS.  257 


years  afterwards,  that  they  closed.  To  give  a  history  of 
those  labors,  running  year  by  year,  through  that  long  pe- 
riod, would  require  more  space  than  the  design  of  this 
work  allows  us.  For  it  was  not  in  the  pulpit  alone  that 
his  energies  were  employed :  it  wTas  not  to  the  preparation 
of  discourses  and  parochial  visitations  only,  that  his  time 
was  devoted.  At  the  date  of  Mr.  Andros'  settlement  in 
Berkley,  but  a  single  school  existed  within  the  limits  of  the 
town.  He  immediately  turned  his  attention  to  the  impor- 
tant subject  of  popular  education,  and  by  his  exertions 
succeeded  in  awakening  an  interest  in  the  cause,  and  im- 
parting a  direction  to  it,  which,  it  is  not  too  much  to  say, 
conferred  a  general  and  permanent  benefit.  Nor  did  he 
confine  himself  to  precept  in  this  matter  ;  he  became  an  in- 
structor himself,  and  through  the  whole  course  of  his  long 
life  continued  such,  laboring  with  a  zeal  which  would  do 
honor  to  many  a  professional  teacher,  and  with  a  fidelity 
and  untiring  devotion  which  many  now  living,  and  moving 
in  spheres  of  usefulness  and  distinction,  can  attest,  and  to 
which  they  will  cheerfully  acknowledge  their  obligations. 
Like  many,  indeed  most,  of  the  country  clergy  of  the  last 
generation,  Mr.  Andros  was  obliged  to  look  to  sources 
other  and  aside  from  his  stipend,  for  the  means  of  support 
to  himself  and  family.  The  salaries  of  country  ministers, 
now  not  too  liberal,  wTere  at  the  time  of  his  settlement, 
perhaps  by  the  comparative  poverty  of  the  people  necessa- 
rily, restricted  within  very  narrow  limits.  His  annual  sti- 
pend was  fixed  at  X80,  and  during  the  whole  period  of  his 
ministry  it  wras  not  increased  beyond  this  amount,  unless 
we  except  a  small  addition,  made  near  the  commencement 
of  the  present  century,  to  equalize  the  relative  values  of 
money  and  commodities,  which  had  become  changed  as  the 
22* 


258  THE  MINISTRY  OP  TAUNTON. 

former  increased  in  supply.  A  part  of  his  support,  in 
consequence,  had  to  be  drawn  from  the  cultivation  of  the 
soil,  and  there  were  few  days  which  did  not  find  Mr.  An- 
dros  actively  engaged,  in  addition  to  his  other  duties,  in 
the  labors  of  the  farm.  Yet  amid  these  diverse  avocations 
he  was  never  neglectful  of  the  interests  of  the  great  work 
to  which  he  had  been  set  apart.  At  all  times  and  at  all 
seasons,  regardless  of  personal  exposure  and  danger,  he 
was  at  his  post.  Every  enterprise  of  benevolence  com- 
manded his  sympathies,  and  every  movement,  having  for 
its  object  the  advancement  of  human  happiness  and  pros- 
perity, found  in  him  an  earnest  advocate  and  an  indefati- 
gable friend.  Thus  he  pursued  the  tenor  of  his  way  from 
1778  to  1834.*  In  the  month  of  June  of  the  last  named 
year,  —  admonished  by  his  advanced  age  that  the  time  for 
his  retirement  had  arrived,  and  actuated  also  by  an  ear- 
nest desire  to  put  a  final  period  to  difficulties  which  had 
sprung  up  in  his  church  and  society — difficulties  from 
which  we  have  no  desire  to  withdraw  the  veil  of  oblivion, 
he  requested  and  received  a  formal  dismission  from  his 
pastoral  charge,  and  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  that  month 
took  his  leave  "  as  a  public  minister  of  Christ,' '  to  use  his 
own  words,  "  of  that  congregation  before  whom  he  had 
gone  in  and  out  through  a  period  of  forty-seven  years." 
But  though  he  had  no  longer  a  regular  charge,  his  remain- 
ing years  were  not  passed  in  idleness.  Twice  afterwards 
he  was  elected  to  represent  his  town  in  the  Legislature, 
and  to  the  close  of  his  life,  he  continued  to  take  the  deep- 

*  In  a  note  appended  to  the  "Articles  of  Faith,"  printed  in  1826,  it 
is  said :  "  There  have  been  several  partial  revivals,  in  which  numbers 
have  been  added  to  the  Church;  but  the  most  general  was  in  1807,  when 
between  80  and  90  were  constrained  to  make  a  public  profession  of  Re- 
ligion." 


THOMAS   ANDROS.  259 


est  interest  in  all  the  great  reformatory  movements  of  the 
day.  Mr.  Andros'  last  sermon  -was  preached  on  Sunday, 
the  5th  of  October,  1845,  and,  as  it  would  seem  by  provi- 
dential direction,  from  the  same  sacred  desk  at  -which  he 
had  so  often  stood.  On  that  day,  he  walked  from  his  res- 
idence to  the  Church,  a  distance  of  two  miles,  uttered  the 
admonitions  which  proved  to  be  his  last,  and  returned  on 
foot.  His  manner  was  animated,  and  he  spoke  with  all 
the  force  and  fervor  of  other  years.  Shortly  after  this 
his  health  began  sensibly  to  fail,  and  he  suffered  more  and 
more  frequently  and  severely  from  attacks  of  an  apoplec- 
tic character,  to  which  he  had  been  occasionally  subject  for 
some  years.  His  mind,  however,  retained  all  its  clearness, 
and  there  appeared  to  be  no  cause  for  immediate  appre- 
hension, until  the  8th  of  December,  when  he  was  suddenly 
prostrated  by  an  attack  of  the  malady  just  alluded  to.  He 
shortly  rallied,  however,  from  the  first  effects,  but  his  hour 
had  come.  The  remedies  of  the  medical  attendants  prov- 
ed unavailing.  His  strength  gradually  failed  and  the  vital 
energies  day  by  day  exhausted  themselves.  Disturbed 
apparently  by  no  suffering  bodily  or  mental,  his  faith  grow- 
ing stronger  and  brighter  as  the  bonds  which  bound  his 
spirit  to  the  flesh,  became  weaker,  he  lingered  until  the 
evening  of  December  30th.  His  departure  from  the 
world  was  tranquil  and  beautiful  as  the  departure  of 

"  The  morning  star,  which  goes 
Not  down  behind  the  darkened  west,  or  hides 
Obscured  amid  the  tempests  of  the  sky, 
But  fades  away  into  the  light  of  Heaven." 

Mr.  Andros  was  twice  married.     (1)  To  Miss  Abigail 
Cutler,  of  Killingly  Ct.,  May  18, 1784 ;  (2)  to  Miss  Sophia 


260  THE   MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

Sanford,  of  Berkley,  Feb.  7, 1799,  whom  he  survived  only 
three  years.* 

As  a  man,  Mr.  Andros  was  distinguished  for  the  deep 
interest  which  he  took  in  everything  that  related  to  his  race, 
and  for  the  entire  singleness  of  purpose,  sincerity  and  hon- 
esty which  characterized  his  intercourse  and  dealings  with 
his  fellow-men.  The  wealth  of  worlds  would  not  have 
tempted  him  to  the  commission  of  a  dishonest  act,  and  the 
individual  never  existed  who  could  justly  complain  of  hav- 
ing been  over-reached  by  him  in  his  business  tranactions, 
which  at  one  period  of  his  life,  were  many  and  large.  In 
his  opinions  of  public  policy,  he  was  decided,  and  in  the 
expression  of  them  open,  independent  and  fearless. 

As  a  Theologian  and  Preacher  —  I  leave  this  part  of  his 
character  to  be  drawn  by  a  more  skillful  and  experienced 
hand." 

The  limits  of  this  work  would  not  allow  "  a  more  skill- 
ful hand  "  (could  it  be  foimd)  to  give  an  extended  account 
of  the  theological  views  and  ministerial  character  of  Mr. 
Andros.  The  former  were  generally  embraced  by  his  peo- 
ple, and  the  minister  of  Berkley,  hardly  less  than  the  min- 
ister of  Franklin,  most  thoroughly  and  effectually  indoctri- 
nated his  hearers,  and  "  taught  the  people  knowledge.' ' 
As  a  consequence,  it  is  believed,  there  is  to  this  day  great- 

*  In  both  these  connections  he  was  fortunate  and  happy.  The  first 
named  died  in  1798.  The  discourse  preached  at  her  funeral  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Smith,  then  minister  of  Dighton.  bears  strong  testimony  to  her 
many  virtues.  The  family  record  bears  the  following  affecting  memori- 
al in"  his  own  hand,  to  the"  character  of  his  second  wife  :  "  Sophia  San- 
ford Andros.  my  second  wife  departed  this  life  between  midnight  and  one 
o'clock  on  tbe  morning  of  Lord's  day.  Feb.  13,  1S43,  having  blessed  her 
family  with  the  most  active  love  and  constant  affection  for  a  period  of 
forty-three  years  and  five  days/' 


THOMAS  ANDROS.  261 


er  uniformity  of  religious  faith  in  the  towns  of  Berkley 
and  Franklin,  than  in  most  of  the  towns  in  the  Common- 
wealth —  a  very  fair  inference  from  the  fact,  that  in  these 
towns  as  yet  there  is  only  one  religious  denomination  reg- 
ularly organized,  known  to  exist. 

Mr.  Andros  was  regarded  not  only  in  Berkley  but  in 
all  the  region,  where  he  was  best  known,  as  an  able  theo- 
logian, and  an  instructive,  faithful  preacher. 

The  "  Taunton  Association  "  of  ministers,  of  which,  at 
its  organization  in  1826,  u  father  Andros,"  as  he  was  gen- 
erally called,  was  the  oldest  member,  expressed  their  feel- 
ings on  the  occasion  of  his  death  in  the  following  terms : 

"  It  is  with  most  unaffected  grief  that  the  Association 
place  upon  the  Records,  a  note  of  that  solemn  Providence, 
by  which  our  venerable  father  in  the  ministry,  Rev.  Thom- 
as Andros,  of  Berkley  has  been  removed  from  earth  to  his 
final  account. 

"He  departed  this  life, Dec.  30th,  1845, aged  86 years, 
and  8  months.  His  funeral  obsequies  were  attended  by  a 
large  number  of  his  townsmen,  and  several  clergymen 
from  the  vicinity ;  and  a  sermon  was  preached  on  the  oc- 
casion, by  Rev.  E.  Gay,  of  Bridgewater,  then  supplying 
the  pulpit  in  Berkley. 

"  We  enter  his  name  on  our  Records,  as  one  of  precious 
memory,  in  testimony  of  the  high  veneration,  with  which 
we  regard  the  man,  whose  heart  was  warm,  whose  hands 
were  pure,  and  whose  life  exemplified  the  doctrines,  which 
he  delighted  to  commend  to  others. 

"  Mr.  Andros  was  an  eminent  example  of  self-taught  men, 
a  warm  patron  of  education,  and  a  deeply  interested  friend 
of  the  rising  generation.  As  a  preacher,  he  held  a  high 
rank ;  as  a  pastor,  he  was  affectionate,  laborious  and  untir- 


262  THE   MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

ing  in  interest  both  for  the  spiritual  and  temporal  veitaio 
of  his  people,  to  whom  he  ministered  more  than  forty 
years.  As  an  author,  his  merit  will  not  suffer  in  comparison 
with  many,  whose  works  are  much  more  voluminous.  11  is 
sermon  entitled  "  Trial  of  the  Spirits,' '  and  his  tract  enti- 
tled, "Letter  to  a  friend "  should  be  mentioned  with  par- 
ticular consideration. 

"  It  affords  us  great  happiness  to  be  able  to  say  in  conclu- 
sion, that  the  evidence  of  his  personal  interest  in  that 
Gospel,  which  it  was  his  delight  to  make  known  to  others, 
was  so  satisfactory,  that  his  trust  in  it  to  the  last,  was  un- 
shaken, and  that  its  consolations  shone  around  in  entering 
"  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,"  in  undim'd  bright- 
ness." 

The  published  productions*  of  Mr.  Andros  were  numer- 

*  I  have  just  received  the  following  list  of  the  published  writings  of 
Mr  Andros,  so  far  as  they  have  been  discovered. 

"  Light  to  the  Upright,  in  Darkness,"  —  a  sermon  occasioned  by  the 
death  of  Capt.  John  Crane.  — 1795. 

"  A  Reference,  not  only  of  the  Good,  but  of  the  Evil,  that  befalls  us 
in  Life,  to  the  hand  of  God,  an  essential  principle  of  Piety  "  —  a  sermon 
occasioned  by  the  death  of  Mrs.  Andros.  — 1798. 

"  A  Thanksgiving  Sermon,"  delivered  before  the  Congregational  So- 
ciety in  Berkley.  — 1808. 

"  The  Criminality  of  restraining  Prayer,"  —  a  sermon,  1808. 

"Foreign  Influence,"  —  a  Thanksgiving  Sermon,  1812. 

"  Bible  News  of  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  as  reported  by  the 
Rev.  Noah  Worcester,  not  correct."  — 1813. 

"  Seasonable  Thoughts  on  Human  Creeds  or  Articles  of  Faith,  by  an 
orthodox  clergyman,  shewn  to  be  very  unreasonable  Thoughts."  — 1814. 

u  Truth  in  Opinion  the  only  foundation  of  Piety,"  a  sermon  delivered 
at  the  ordination  of  the  Rev.  Benj.  Whittemore,  Tiverton,  R.  I.     1815. 

"  Modern  Philosophical  Mixtures,  degrading  the  character  and  defeat- 
ing the  moral  influence  of  the  Gospel,  detected," — a  sermon.     1819. 

"  An  Essay  in  which  the  Doctrine  of  a  positive  divine  Efficiency,  ex- 
citing the  will  of  men  to  sin,  is  candidly  discussed,  and  shewn  to  be  un- 
philosophical,"  &c.     1*20. 

"  Sermons"  on  various  subjects,  embracing  six  discourses.     1823. 

"  The  Memory  of  the  Just  is  blessed,"  a  sermon  preached  at  the  fune- 
ral of  the  Hon.  Samuel  Tobey.     1823. 

"  The  Temperance  Society  vindicated  and  Recommended,"  a  sermon. 
1830. 


ANDROS'    SERMON   IN   1790.  263 

ous.  Besides  the  thrilling  narrative  of  his  sufferings  "  on 
board  the  Old  Jersey  Prison-Ship,  in  1781,"  he  published 
in  1814,  a  pamphlet  styled  "  Seasonable  thoughts  on  hu- 
man Creeds,  or  articles  of  faith,  by  an  orthodox  clergyman, 
shown  to  be  very  unreasonable  thoughts,  in  a  letter  to  a 
friend;"  also,  "  an  Essay,  in  which  the  doctrine  of  a  posi- 
tive divine  efficiency  exciting  the  will  of  men  to  sin,  as 
held  by  some  modern  ministers,  is  candidly  considered  ;" 
also,  "  a  volume  of  sermons  adapted  to  the  particular  be- 
nevolent operations  of  the  day,  in  1817."  A  little  later, 
he  published  a  volume  of  "  doctrinal  essays,"  and  at  dif- 
ferent periods  of  his  ministry,  various  occasional  discourses, 
which  prove  their  author  to  have  been  no  ordinary  man. 

Of  the  several  sermons  in  MS.  which  have  been  submit- 
ted for  examination,  the  one  which  follows  has  been  select- 
ed, as  probably  a  fair  specimen  of  Mr.  Andros'  ordinary 
style  of  preaching. 


Hosea,  XII.  8. 

"  In  all  my  labours  they  shall  find  none  iniquity  in  me 
that  were  sm." 

rpHE  terms  on  which  the  Great  Ruler  of  the  Universe 
offers  Life  to  man,  are  in  themselves  most  reasonable  and 
easy.  For  what  is  more  easy  than  to  confess  our  fault, 
when  we  have  done  wrong  ?  and  certainly,  nothing  can  be 
more  reasonable.  Yet  this  is  the  sum  of  all  that  God  re- 
quires of  sinful  men  as  the  condition  of  Eternal  Life  :  — 
"  If  we  confess  our  sins  "  (says  John)  "  he  is  faithful  and 
just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all  un- 
righteousness."    But  easy  and  reasonable  as  are  the  terms 


264  THE   MINISTRY   OP   TAUNTON. 

of  Life,  there  is  nothing  to  which  the  pride  of  men  is  more 
opposed.  "When  their  iniquities  are  set  in  order  before 
them,  in  the  ministration  of  the  Divine  Word,  instead  of 
an  honest  confession,  they  are  disposed  to  reply  to  God, 
"  Wherein  have  we  done  so  much  against  thee  ':"  and  they 
are  very  ingenious  and  industrious  to  invent  palliations 
and  excuses  for  every  offence  they  commit.  But  in  some 
particular  cases  they  imagine  the  ground  on  which  they  are 
blamed  to  be  peculiarly  unreasonable.  For  example,  they 
find  in  themselves  a  strong  bias  to  that  which  is  evil,  and 
aversion  to  that  which  is  holy.  And  this  disposition,  they 
plead,  was  born  in  them.  They  had  no  agency  in  giving  it 
existence  in  their  own  hearts.  And  now,  say  they,  as  we 
did  not  give  ourselves  these  corrupt  propensities,  what  if 
our  hearts  be  fully  set  in  us  to  do  evil  ?  What  if  out  of  it 
proceed  all  manner  of  evil  thoughts  and  inclinations,  and 
crimes  ?  As  all  these  offences  proceed  from  an  inward 
powerful  propensity  to  evil,  which  we  did  not  implant  in 
our  hearts,  how  hard  it  is  that  we  should  be  condemned  and 
punished  for  them,  or  that  we  should  suffer  anything  in 
consequence  of  the  conduct  to  which  they  prompt  us. 

Now  what  we  purpose,  in  this  discourse,  is  to  examine 
the  validity  of  this  plea.  It  was,  in  all  probability,  on  this 
ground  that  Ephraim  justified  himself  in  our  text,  and  af- 
firmed that  they  could  find  no  sin  in  him,  though  he  loved 
oppression,  and  the  balances  of  deceit  and  fraud  were  in 
his  hand,  as  God  testified  of  him.  In  the  execution  of 
this  design  we  shall  proceed  by  the  following  steps : 

I.  We  admit  the  fact,  that  men  do  come  into  life  with 
hearts  prone  to  that  which  is  evil.  The  testimony  of  the 
Scriptures  confirms  it,  and  this  testimony  is  not  to  be  dis- 
credited.    In  consequence  of  the  disobedience  of  our  first 


ANDROS'    SERMON   IN   1790.  265 

Parents,  their  posterity  now  come  into  existence  with  proud, 
selfish,  and  rebellious  dispositions.  So  Paul  says,  "by 
the  offence  of  one,  many  were  made  sinners."  And,  says 
the  Psalmist,  "  Behold  I  was  shapen  in  iniquity,  and  in  sin 
did  my  mother  conceive  me."  And  who  has  not  observed 
that  the  earliest  moral  feelings  and  propensities  which  chil- 
dren manifest  in  their  first  visible  conduct,  are  selfishness, 
impatience  of  just  restraint,  anger  and  revenge  towards 
those  who  cross  their  inclinations.  We  certainly  cannot 
pretend,  on  any  legitimate  ground,  that  man  comes  into 
being  with  holy  dispositions.  Neither  can  we  say  that  we 
come  into  existence  with  no  dispositions  or  inclinations  or 
passions  at  all.  If  therefore,  he  has  any  moral  feelings  or 
passions,  they  must  be  corrupt,  though  not  to  that  degree 
in  which  they  appear  in  the  aged  sinner,  whose  character 
is  that  of  finished  impiety  and  wickedness.  To  silence  the 
plea  under  consideration,  we  cannot  deny  the  native  cor- 
ruption of  the  human  heart.  Man  is  in  very  deed  born 
the  subject  of  many  depraved  propensities  and  inclina- 
tions. 

II.  We  will  admit  for  the  moment,  that  as  man  did  not 
infuse  these  evil  principles  or  desires  and  propensities  into 
his  own  heart,  no  moral  blame  can  attach  to  them,  or  to  the 
actions  to  which  they  prompt  him.  Still  it  does  not  nec- 
essarily follow  from  this  concession  that  it  would  be  wrong 
to  inflict  punishment  upon  him  or  even  to  destroy  him  on 
account  of  them.  There  are  several  reasons  why  it  is  just 
and  justifiable  that  creatures,  who  possess  evil  or  injurious 
propensities,  should  be  subjected  to  punishment,  or  destroy- 
ed, so  that  they  may  do  no  more  outrage.  One  reason  is, 
they  are  intelligent  creatures,  and  know  better  than  to  con- 
duct in  an  unjust  or  wicked  manner.  If  a  person  has  rea- 
23 


266  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

son,  to  perceive  the  nature  of  the  rule  of  duty  and  the  great 
obligations  of  truth,  justice  and  mercy,  and  will  not  obey, 
but  prefers  to  live  in  all  manner  of  injustice,  cruelty  and 
violence  towards  his  neighbors,  it  is  reasonable  that  he 
should  be  restrained  and  punished  or  put  to  death  to  pre- 
vent his  continuance  in  wrong  doing  and  crime.  He  de- 
serves this  on  the  ground  of  moral  demerit.  But  suppose 
a  creature,  who  is  thus  injurious  and  dangerous,  has  none 
of  the  reason,  understanding  and  freedom  of  an  account- 
able agent,  would  it  follow  that  he  ought  therefore  to  suf- 
fer no  evil  for  the  mischief  he  inflicts  ?  The  tiger  has 
none  of  the  faculties  of  an  intelligent  agent.  But  he  pos- 
sesses a  most  ferocious  nature.  He  delights  in  blood  and 
carnage.  The  natural  disposition,  which  he  received  in 
his  first  creation  makes  him  most  dangerous  to  man,  as  well 
as  other  animals.  Now  because  he  did  not  give  himself 
these  bloody  inclinations  and  appetites,  and  has  no  reason 
or  moral  power  to  control  them,  shall  he  be  allowed  to 
glut  himself  with  blood  with  entire  impunity  ?  Where  is 
the  tongue  that  would  plead  the  injustice  or  the  wrong  of 
destroying  him  ?  All  would  agree  in  pronouncing  it  suit- 
able and  right  to  hunt  him  down  and  shed  his  blood.  Nay, 
the  man  who  had  it  in  his  power  to  destroy  him,  and  yet 
turned  him  loose  to  prey  upon  the  unwary  and  defenceless, 
would  himself  be  chargeable  with  murder.  It  would  be 
no  apology  for  the  poor  irrational  brute  to  say  that  God 
gave  him  these  ferocious  and  bloody  inclinations,  or  that 
he  possessed  them  by  nature  and  did  not  implant  them  in 
his  own  heart.  It  could  not  indeed  be  said  he  was  a  mor- 
al agent  and  deserved  to  be  punished  as  such.  But  it 
would  be  said,  and  said  justly,  that  he  ought  to  be  des- 
troyed on  account  of  his  mischievous  and  bloody  nature. 


ANDROS'    SERMON  IN  1T90.  267 

There  is  but  one  great  law  in  regard  to  the  use  to  be 
made  of  all  objects  in  creation,  which  are  not  intelligent 
and  accountable  creatures,  whether  they  be  animate  or  in- 
animate objects,  they  are  to  be  used  or  disposed  of  in  that 
way  in  which  they  will  be  the  most  profitable.  On  this 
ground  the  life  of  an  irrational  animal  is  to  be  preserved 
or  destroyed  according  to  the  judgment  and  will  of  man. 
Such  dominion  has  God  given  man  over  the  inferior  orders 
of  being  in  creation.  Now,  if  any  one  will  have  it,  that 
as  man  did-  not  give  himself  the  destructive  temper  and 
inclinations  which  he  possesses,  he  is  not  blanieable  for 
them,  all  that  could  follow,  if  this  were  allowed,  would  be 
that  he  was  not  a  proper  subject  for  a  moral  trial  and  pun- 
ishment, but  when  guilty  of  any  great  offence  against  so- 
ciety, as  robbery,  arson  or  murder,  he  should  be  hunted 
down  and  destroyed  like  a  beast  of  prey.  All,  therefore, 
that  the  lawless  ruffian  gains  by  pleading  that  he  did  not 
give  himself  his  depraved  and  wicked  dispositions  and 
propensities,  and  is  not  therefore  deserving  punishment  for 
them,  is  this,  —  that  he  is  not  to  be  destroyed  as  an  intel- 
ligent and  accountable  creature,  but  as  a  savage  wild 
beast.  St.  Paul  says  of  some  sinners,  who  had  become 
the  slaves  of  their  naturally  corrupt  appetites  and  passions, 
"  whose  end  is  destruction,  whose  God  is  their  belly,  and 
whose  glory  is  in  their  shame,  who  mind  earthly  things." 
At  any  rate,  the  end  of  the  slave  of  lawless  desire  and 
appetite  is  destruction,  and  it  would  be  a  poor  alternative 
to  choose  to  die  as  a  brute  rather  than  as  a  moral  agent, 
the  degree  of  misery  to  be  suffered  being  the  same. 

III.  In  reply  to  the  sinner's  plea  under  consideration,  it 
is  proper  to  observe  that  objects  are  to  be  estimated  and 
treated  according  to  their  own  nature  and  properties,  and 


268  THE    MINISTRY    OF    TAUXTOX. 

not  according  to  the  nature  and  properties  of  the  cause 
which  produces  them.  Every  creature  which  God  has 
formed  in  the  universe  has  its  specific  nature  and  proper- 
ties, which  constitute  it  what  it  is ;  and  it  is  by  its  dis- 
tinctive properties  that  one  object  or  creature  is  distin- 
guished from  another.  Man  and  beast,  wind,  hail,  rain 
and  fire,  are  all  known,  one  from  another,  by  the  different 
powers,  faculties,  attributes  and  properties  which  they 
possess.  And  they  are  all  considered,  esteemed  and  val- 
ued according  to  these  different  properties,  and  not  accor- 
ding to  the  nature  and  attributes  of  the  cause  which  pro- 
duced them.  Thus,  gold  is  very  highly  esteemed  for  its 
value  ;  but  that  morbid  matter  or  poison  which  produces 
disease  and  death,  is  shunned  and  abhorred  as  a  deadly 
evil.  In  the  animal  world,  the  lamb  and  the  horse  are 
valued  as  harmless  and  useful  animals,  while  the  venomous 
serpent  is  hated  and  avoided.  God  is  the  maker  of  all 
these  things  ;  but  we  do  not  dread  the  pestilence  or  abhor 
the  poisonous  serpent  any  the  less  on  account  of  His  being 
the  cause  of  their  existence,  nor  does  this  consideration 
ever  induce  us  to  spare  the  life  of  the  viper  or  the  savage 
beast.  It  is  just  the  same  with  respect  to  all  the  wicked 
and  abominable  propensities  of  the  corrupt  heart  of  man. 
They  are  most  hateful  and  detestable  in  their  own  nature. 
We  form  this  judgment  of  them  without  pausing  to  en- 
quire by  what  cause  or  agency  they  were  produced.  If 
we  see  a  man  possessed  of  feelings,  proud,  envious,  unjust, 
treacherous  and  malignant,  we  condemn  him,  without  stop- 
ping to  enquire  whether  he  himself  or  some  other  agent 
infused  them  into  his  heart.  It  does  not  in  the  least  alter 
the  nature  of  these  baleful  passions  to  say  man  did  not 
create  them  in  his  own  heart,  or  to  say  they  were  originat- 


ANDROS'    SERMON   IN   1790.  269 

ed  by  some  other  cause,  any  more  than  it  alters  the  na- 
ture of  poison  to  say  God  produced  it.  Th"e  serpent 
becomes  no  less  loathsome  and  his  poison  none  the  less  dead- 
ly by  the  declaration  that  God  made  him  all  he  is.  So 
it  becomes  the  sinner  to  reflect  that  his  impiety,  his  pride 
and  malignity,  envy  and  thirst  for  revenge,  become  no 
more  amiable  and  harmless  by  imputing  them  to  God  as 
the  cause  or  by  affirming  that  he  inherited  them  by  nature. 
Pride  is  pride,  malignity  is  malignity,  entirely  independent 
of  the  considerations  of  the  cause  that  produced  in  our 
hearts  these  evil  propensities.  If  we  have  our  reason, 
that  criminates  us.     Here  enquiry  ends. 

IV.  Let  it  now  be  enquired  what  the  judgment  of  man- 
kind in  general  is  in  regard  to  these  evil  and  mischievous 
passions,  which  we  possess  by  nature.  Is  it  common 
among  men  to  palliate  and  excuse  the  wicked  feelings  of 
others  by  saying  that  these  feelings  are  natural  to  them, 
that  they  were  born  with  them,  or  that  they  were  inherit- 
ed from  our  first  parents  ?  Do  they  say,  it  is  in  the  na- 
ture of  such  an  one  to  be  deceitful,  proud,  unjust,  false, 
cruel  and  vindictive,  and  on  this  ground  refrain  from  con- 
demning him  for  the  crimes  he  is  prompted  to  commit  by 
the  native  corruption  of  his  heart  ?  This  is  so  far  from 
being  true  that  in  the  estimation  of  mankind,  it  is  a  great 
aggravation  of  a  person's  wickedness  and  guilt,  to  say  that 
he  is  naturally  treacherous,  cruel  and  vindictive.  When 
it  is  said  of  a  man  that  he  is  by  nature  unfeeling  and  ma- 
licious, or  avaricious  and  sordid,  it  is  always  meant  as  add- 
ing to  the  hatefulness  of  his  character  and  as  an  aggra- 
vation of  the  offences  he  may  commit.  And  what  is  the 
usage  in  our  courts  of  Justice  ?  When  they  find  an  offen- 
der to  be  by  nature,  prone  to  the  crimes  for  which  he  is 
23* 


270  THE   MINISTRY    OF   TAUXTOX. 

arraigned,  are  they  mure  lenient,  and  less  disposed  to  visit 
upon  him  the  full  penalty  of  the  Law  ?  Does  it  help  the 
murderer  to  have  his  advocate  state  in  his  behalf,  that  from 
his  infancy  he  has  been  unfeeling  and  cruel,  delighting  in 
barbarous  and  savage  deeds  ?  And  that  his  father  before 
him  was  just  such  a  monster,  and  transmitted  to  his  child 
the  abominable  corruption  of  his  own  nature  ?  Would  the 
Court,  after  hearing  this  plea,  be  more  inclined  to  acquit 
him  ?  Would  not  every  spectator  be  disposed  to  regard 
such  a  plea  as  most  unfortunate  for  the  prisoner  and  fatal 
to  his  escape  ?  It  is  not  then  agreeable  to  the  common 
sense  of  mankind  to  think  a  man's  guilt  the  less,  because 
he  ha3  a  strong  natural  propensity  to  the  crime  with  which 
he  is  charged. 

V.  Indeed  the  sinner,  who  puts  in  the  plea  under  con- 
sideration, to  evade  the  sentence  of  God's  holy  Law,  will 
be  condemned  out  of  his  own  mouth.  Let  him  urge  this 
plea  as  often  as  he  may  —  my  soul  is  exceedingly  corrupt : 
my  passions  are  continually  impelling  me  to  do  evil.  But 
I  am  not  my  own  maker.  My  Almighty  Creator  planted 
these  inclinations  and  propensities  in  my  heart.  They  are 
a  part  of  that  nature  with  which  I  was  born.  It  is  utterly 
idle  for  him  to  reason  in  this  way,  if  he  reverse  it  all  in 
treatment  of  his  fellow  men  when  they  sin  against  him,  as 
he  really  does.  If,  because  he  is  by  nature  proud,  selfish, 
an  enemy  to  God  and  holiness,  God  ought  not  to  condemn 
him  for  the  sins  he  commits  against  Him,  then  he  ought 
not  to  condemn  his  neighbor  for  anything  he  may  do  that 
is  wrong.  But  will  the  sinner  allow  this  reasoning  to  be 
good,  when  his  neighbor  insults,  dishonors  and  injures 
him  ?  Will  he  say,  my  neighbor  possesses  by  nature  the 
evil  disposition  by  which  he  was  impelled.     I   will  not 


ANDROS'   SERMON  IN   1790.  271 

blame  him,  therefore,  for  the  grossest  slander  he  may  heap 
upon  me,  or  for  the  greatest  injury  he  may  do  to  me  or  to 
those  who  are  dear  to  me  and  who  look  to  me  for  protec- 
tion and  defence.  No — no,  this  reasoning  will  not  do, 
when  his  neighbor  is  the  offending  party.  He  will  cry  out 
against  him  as  unjust  and  wicked,  and  invoke  upon  his 
head  the  penalties  of  the  violated  law.  If  his  servant 
plunder  his  goods,  he  does  not  think  it  takes  all  blame  from 
him  to  plead  that  God  made  him  with  a  selfish  and  covet- 
ous disposition.  And  as  he  condemns  others  in  spite  of 
this  plea,  when  they  offend  him,  so  he  may  expect  God 
will  not  admit  it  as  valid,  when  he  shall  urge  it  on  his  own 
behalf,  as  an  excuse  for  the  sins  and  abominations  he  has 
committed  against  his  Maker,  and  his  fellow  men.     But 

VI.  The  justice  of  the  sinner's  pretence  that  he  had 
no  agency  in  infusing  moral  corruption  into  his  own  heart, 
must  be  examined.  Can  any  one  presume  it  will  be  found 
true,  that  no  man  ever  yet  did  anything  to  fill  his  own  soul 
with  depraved  and  abominable  inclinations  and  propensities? 
We  may  allow  that  the  child  in  the  earliest  days  of  its  ex- 
istence had  no  agency  in  producing  whatever  corrupt  feel- 
ings and  passions  have  place  in  his  heart.  But  can  this 
concession  be  made  in  regard  to  the  sinner  of  forty  years  ? 
Can  it  be  said  of  him,  that  he  has  had  no  voluntary  agen- 
cy in  producing  those  powerful  wicked  feelings  and  pas- 
sions to  which  he  is  now  the  slave  ?  Here  is  one  who  is 
notorious  for  avarice  or  covetousness.  This  principle  gov- 
erns him  with  despotic  sway.  Neither  the  tears  of  the 
widow,  the  cries  of  the  orphan,  nor  the  miserable  condition 
of  the  poor  pagan  dying  in  sin,  can  wring  from  him  one 
farthing  for  their  relief.  Nay,  there  is  scarcely  any  mean- 
ness or  vice  to  which  he  will  not  descend  for  the  purpose 


272  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

of  gain.  But  was  he  born  with  all  this  avarice  implanted 
in  his  heart  ?  No  assertion  could  be  more  untrue.  In 
his  infancy  the  germ  might  indeed  exist  in  his  soul.  But 
was  it  not  a  latent  seed  —  a  mere  embryo,  comparatively 
dormant  and  inoperative  ?  And  had  the  proper  means 
been  used  to  check  its  growth,  might  it  not  have  been,  in 
a  great  measure,  suppressed,  and  the  principle  of  liberality 
and  kindness  implanted  in  its  place  ?  But  nothing  of  this 
kind  was  seriously  entered  upon.  As  the  man  advanced 
in  life,  he  began  to  feel  this  covetous  principle  within  him, 
and  he  thought  of  nothing  but  the  means  of  gratifying  it. 
For  this  purpose  he  formed  a  thousand  schemes,  and  com- 
mitted innumerable  sins.  Forty  years  he  proceeded  in 
this  way,  every  day  watering  and  cultivating  this  corrupt 
principle  ;  and  now  it  has  the  complete  dominion  of  him. 
He  thinks  of  no  happiness,  but  money  —  no  God  but  mam- 
mon, and  desires  no  friend  but  one  who  may  aid  him  still 
to  increase  his  store.  He  always  enjoyed  the  light  of  the 
holy  Scriptures.  He  knew  what  the  law  of  God  required, 
knew  what  man  must  do  to  become  pious,  and  godly  and 
to  be  saved  —  but  he  made  light  of  all  that  heaven  could 
say  to  him  on  these  subjects.  Now  shall  this  man  have 
the  assurance  to  say,  God,  at  his  birth,  implanted  in  his 
heart  this  abominable  passion  in  all  its  power,  to  which  he 
is  now  the  slave,  and  that  he  had  no  instrumentality  in 
infusing  it  into  his  soul,  and  therefore  is  not  responsible  for 
any  of  its  results  and  operations  ?  Abominable  falsehood  ! 
Vile  ingratitude  !  Let  him  not  thus  belie  his  Maker  !  The 
same  may  be  said  of  all  the  other  corrupt  and  wicked  pas- 
sions and  vices  to  which  men  become  the  wretched  slaves. 
They  are,  in  an  eminent  degree,  chains  of  their  own  forg- 
ing!  sources  of  shame  and  degradation  and  woe,  of  their 
own  seeking  ? 


ANDR0S'    SERMON   IN   1790.  273 

Admitting  the  preceding  train  of  thought  to  be  just,  the 
subject  will  afford  us  various  inferences  and  reflections  of 
high  importance. 

1.  We  learn  the  absolute  necessity  of  self-government 
to  all  who  hope  for  salvation.  By  self-government  we 
mean  the  subjugation  of  every  principle  or  propensity  and 
desire  of  our  nature  to  the  great  rule  of  duty,  whether  it 
be  suggested  by  the  Word  of  God  or  by  sound  reason. 
When  we  clearly  understand  our  duty  and  suppress  every 
purpose  or  desire  that  is  in  opposition  to  it  and  call  up  all 
the  powers  of  our  nature  in  the  discharge  of  it,  then  we 
have  a  just  and  proper  control  over  ourselves.  In  order 
that  we  may  exercise  this  entire  self-control,  there  are 
some  principles  in  our  nature  that  must  be  entirely  sup- 
pressed. There  are  others  to  be  reduced  within  the  bounds 
of  moderation,  and  others  to  be  directed  to  right  objects. 
Enmity  to  God,  hatred  to  holiness,  envy,  selfishness  and 
pride  are  affections  wholly  wrong ;  these  are  to  be  utterly 
exterminated,  and  man  ought  to  have  such  control  over  his 
heart  as  eternally  to  exclude  them.  These  are  passions 
which  are  not  criminal  by  excess  but  in  their  own  na- 
ture ;  these  are  not  to  be  moderated  only  but  exterminated. 
Love  of  children  and  friends,  a  regard  to  property,  a  love 
of  social  intercourse  with  our  fellow-men,  a  dislike  of  in- 
jury and  wrong,  these  are  principles  that  are  not  to  be 
exterminated  but  moderated  and  kept  within  proper  limits, 
for  they  are  crimes  only  by  excess.  The  love  of  happi- 
ness or  enjoyment,  a  desire  for  respect  and  honor,  etc., 
these  are  principles  that  need  to  be  directed  to  right  ob- 
jects. These  seek  their  happiness  in  the  creature  and  not 
in  God,  the  Creator.  "  They  have  forsaken  the  fountain 
of  living  waters." 


274  THE   MINISTRY    OF   TAUXTOX. 

If  God  were  the  great  object  of  their  happiness,  the  por- 
tion of  their  soul,  the  love  of  happiness  could  not  be  too 
strong.  With  regard  to  honor  they  are  content  with  the 
praise  of  men,  while  their  hearts  ought  to  be  set  on  that 
honor  that  comes  from  God.  When  a  man  seeks  honor  in 
the  exercise  of  love  towards  God  and  man,  his  love  of  rep- 
utation cannot  be  too  great.  In  these  three  great  propo- 
sitions the  whole  of  self-government  consists:  to  extermi- 
nate what  is  wrong,  to  moderate  what  is  excessive,  and  to 
direct  aright  what  errs  as  to  its  proper  object.  Xo  duty 
in  the  Bible  is  more  solemnly  enjoined  than  this,  "  keep 
thine  heart  with  all  dilligence,  for  out  of  it  are  the  issues 
of  life.*'  Saint  Paul  says  of  himself,  "but  I  keep  under 
my  body  and  bring  it  into  subjection  lest  that  by  any 
means  when  I  have  preached  to  others  I  myself  should  be 
a  castaway,*'  1  Cor.  ix:  27.  To  the  Collossions  he  says, 
" mortify  therefore  your  members  which  are  upon  earth; 
fornication,  uncleanness,  inordinate  desires,  evil  concupis- 
cence and  covetousness,  which  is  idolatry  ;*'  and  again,  to 
the  Romans  he  says,  "  for  if  ye  live  after  the  flesh  ye  shall 
die,  but  if  ye  through  the  spirit  do  mortify  the  deeds  of 
the  body  ye  shall  live ;"  and  this  spirit  God  will  give  to  all 
that  ask  him. 

2.  We  can  easily  collect  from  this  subject  what  consti- 
tutes the  grand  obstacle  to  the  final  salvation  of  men.  It 
is  very  certain  that  some  mighty  difficulty  does  lie  in  the 
way  of  men  being  saved,  or  so  many  would  not  neglect 
this  great  concern  and  live  without  hope  and  die  without 
peace.  Xow  the  difficulty  is,  not  that  men  are  indifferent 
to  their  own  happiness,  or  that  they  have  no  dread  of  hell 
and  eternal  death,  but  it  is  this,  they  will  not  earnestly 
set  about  the  mortification  of  the  originally  corrupt  and 


AXDR03'    SERMON   IX    1790.  275 

depraved  propensities  of  their  nature.  They  will  not 
moderate  their  inordinate  affections  and  withdrawing  them 
from  creatures  set  them  on  God  as  the  supreme  object  of 
their  confidence  and  love.  If  jou  are  proud,  by  your  own 
exertions,  assisted  by  the  grace  of  God,  you  must  reduce 
this  pride  to  humility.  If  you  are  covetous,  you  must 
turn  this  passion  into  liberality.  If  you  are  selfish,  you 
must  change  your  selfishness  into  benevolence  and  kind- 
ness. So  of  every  other  evil  affection  or  desire,  it  must 
be  resisted,  it  must  be  turned  into  love  towards  God  and 
man.  But  to  do  all  this,  even  though  the  grace  of  God 
be  granted  to  enable  us  to  work,  is  a  very  great  undertak- 
ing. It  requires  much  self-inspection,  great  self-denial,  a 
mighty  struggle  against  our  powerful  corruptions,  most 
pressing  and  ardent  prayers  to  God  through  the  Redeemer 
that  he  will  give  us  the  victory.  But  discouraged  at  the 
idea  of  thus  cleansing  and  reforming  not  the  outward  con- 
duct only  but  the  inward  feelings  and  reigning  propensities 
and  desires  of  the  soul,  they  recoil  from  the  undertaking, 
they  determine  to  leave  the  soul  in  all  its  sins,  and  with- 
out grappling  with  their  pride,  selfishness  and  other  inward 
abominations,  they  will  often  attempt  to  escape  them,  and 
to  patch  up  some  miserable  hope  for  eternity,  and  so  re- 
fusing to  keep  under  their  body  and  to  bring  it  into  sub- 
jection, as  Paul  says  he  did,  they  become  castaways. 

3.  We  see  the  propriety  of  the  scriptures  representing 
finally  incorrigable  sinners  as  fit  only  for  destruction. 
John  compares  them  to  chaff  and  says,  "they  shall  be 
burnt  up  in  unquenchable  fire ;"  and  Paul  speaks  of  them 
as  those  "whose  end  is  destruction ;"  he  also  styles  them 
"  vessels  of  wrath  fitted  for  destruction."  The  prophet 
Ezekiel  compares  them  to  the  vine  which  when  dead  and 


270  THE   MINISTRY   OP   TAUXTOX. 

fruitless  is  fit  for  no  kind  of  timber  and  of  which  not  even 
a  pin  can  be  made  to  hang  a  vessel  upon ;  it  is  only  fit  for 
the  fire,  Ezek.  xv:  3.  Christ  compares  the  wicked  to  goats, 
and  says  that  this  sentence  will  be  pronounced  upon  them 
at  the  last  day:  "depart  ye  cursed  into  everlasting  fire." 
In  all  these  awful  threatenings  sinners  are  considered  as 
rational  and  accountable  beings,  having  no  excuse  for  their 
sin  and  deserving  all  this  misery  as  a  just  punishment. 
But  even  if  they  could  make  out  that  they  are  not  accoun- 
table, yet  as  their  feet  are  swift  to  shed  blood  and  the  poi- 
son of  asps  is  under  their  tongues,  they  must  be  destroyed 
to  give  peace  to  the  world  upon  the  same  principle  that 
the  beast  of  prey  is  hunted  and  destroyed.  They  must 
become  new  creatures ;  their  enmity  to  God  must  be  turn- 
ed into  love ;  their  pride  and  their  hatred  to  man  must  be 
turned  into  humility  and  kindness,  or  no  prospect  can 
arise  before  them  but  death ;  Christ  will  never  save  them 
in  their  sins. 

4.  We  learn  why  it  is  saints  consider  themselves  as  so 
exceedingly  sinful,  notwithstanding  their  highest  moral  at- 
tainments in  this  fife.  They  admit  the  sinfulness  of  all  the 
inward  corruptions  of  their  heart.  They  do  not  excuse 
their  pride,  selfishness,  inordinate  affections,  or  any  other 
wrong  feeling  on  the  ground  that  it  is  natural,  or  on  any 
other  ground.  Hence,  they  appear  in  their  own  eyes  ex- 
ceedingly vile.  They  know  what  the  Laodiceans  did  not 
know,  that  they  are  wretched  and  miserable,  and  poor, 
and  blind  and  naked. 

5.  We  learn,  in  the  light  of  this  subject,  what  an  ex- 
ceedingly precious  aid  is  the  Holy  Spirit  to  all  who  are 
sincerely  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  salvation.  They  know 
something  of  the  desperate  wickedness  of  their  own  hearts, 


EBEXEZER   POOR.  277 


and  the  strength  of  their  inward  corruptions.  And  it  is 
a  settled  belief  with  them  that  this  heart  must  be  purified, 
and  these  corruptions  overcome,  or  they  cannot  be  saved. 
And  where  shall  they  find  an  arm  sufficiently  strong  to 
perform  this  work  in  them,  but  in  that  almighty  spirit 
whose  office  it  is  to  work  in  the  people  of  God  to  will  and 
to  do  of  his  own  good  pleasure. 

6.  What  progress  have  I  made  in  the  great  work  of 
subduing  the  evil  propensities,  which  reign  in  me  as  a  de- 
praved creature  ?  This  is  a  question  of  boundless  interest 
to  every  one  present.  To  mortify  and  root  out  of  his  soul 
every  corrupt  feeling,  is  the  work,  to  which  every  follower 
of  Christ  is  appointed,  and  it  is  the  work  of  his  whole  life. 
And  what  say  you  ?  Do  you  find  the  power  of  your  sins 
giving  way  ?  Do  you  find  your  temper  and  disposition 
changed  for  the  better  ?  Can  you  say,  as  to  this  fact,  you 
are  a  happier  man  than  you  once  were  ?  If  so,  the  day 
of  your  triumph  is  at  hand,  and  you  shall  soon  enter  into 
that  rest,  where  sin  and  sorrow  shall  no  more  afflict  you  ; 
that  peace  which  passeth  understanding,  which  the  world, 
with  all  its  glories,  cannot  give,  and  with  all  its  power,  can 
never  take  away! 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Poor,  a  native  of  Danvers,  in  1796, 
and  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth  College,  in  1818,  was  set- 
tled as  the  successor  of  Mr.  Andros,  June  17, 1835.  He 
had  been  previously  located  in  Beverly,  of  this  State,  and 
at  Edgarton,  on  Martha's  Vineyard.  His  Pastorate  at 
Berkley  was  of  short  continuance.  He  was  dismissed 
July  31,  1837.  Mr.  Poor  was  esteemed  an  interesting 
preacher.  A  sermon  which  he  preached  in  Taunton  on 
"  the  faithful  saying"  (1  Tim.  1 :  15,)  and  which  was 
24 


TIIE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 


afterwards  published,  by  request  of  some  who  heard  it.  is 
a  discourse  of  rare  excellence. 

Rev.  J.  U.  Parsons,  succeeded  Mr.  Poor  in  the  pasto- 
ral office.  He  was  a  native  of  Parsonsfield,  Me.,  in  1806, 
a  graduate  of  Bowdoin  College,  in  1828,  and  for  some 
years  after  his  entering  upon  the  ministry,  labored  as  a 
missionary  in  the  State  of  Indiana.  lie  was  Installed  in 
Berkley.  March  14,  1838,  and  dismissed  in  1840.  He  is 
laboring  now  somewhere  at  the  South.  Mr.  Parsons  is  the 
author  of  a  *•  Biblical  Analysis.*'  an  '•  analytical  method  of 
teaching  Orthography,''  and  has  also  published  several 
discourses. 

Rev.  Charles  Chamberlain,  was  ordained  successor 
of  Mr.  Parsons  in  1842,  and  resigned  his  charge  in  1844; 
since  which  time  the  pulpit  has  been  statedly  supplied  by 
Rev.  Messrs.  Eastman,  Gould,  Gay,  Richardson  and  Craig. 

Second  Trinitarian    Congregational   Church. 

This  Church  was  organized  in  September,  1848,  con- 
sisting of  some  twenty  members,  belonging  to  the  first 
Congregational  Church.  Rev.  Lucius  Root  Eastman,  a 
graduate  of  Amherst  College,  in  1833.  and  once  settled 
at  Sharon,  is  their  minister. 


NORTON  NORTn  PBECINCT.  279 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE    CHURCHES   AND    MINISTRY   OF   MANSFIELD.* 

It  has  been  already  intimated!  that  what  is  now  called 
Mansfield  had  a  distinct  parochial  existence  under  the 
name  of  Norton  North  Precinct  so  early  as  1731,  when 
the  number  of  families  was  about  twenty-five.  Its  Incor- 
poration as  a  town  was  not  however  till  April,  1770.  The 
first  settlers  of  that  District  attended  meeting  at  Taunton 
Green, $  father  and  mother  riding  on  horseback,  with  one 
or  two  children,  all  the  distance  of  twelve  miles,  regularly 
every  Sabbath,  and  some  not  hesitating  even  to  walk  so 
far  for  their  spiritual  food.  On  the  organization  of  the 
Church  in  Norton,  their  journey  was  shortened  more  than 
half,  but  a  regard  for  the  youth  induced  them  at  the  ear- 
liest moment  of  their  ability,  to  bring  themselves  into  a 
church  state,  the  precise  date  of  which  event  is  not  cer- 
tainly known.  The  first  parish  meeting  was  held  at  the 
house  of  Isaac  Wellnian,  Tuesday,  Aug.  31,  1731.  Doc- 
uments of  this  early  date  have  been  most  ruthlessly  de- 
stroyed.     But  from  the  few  fragments  in  existence  we 

*  So  called,  in  honor  of  Lord  Mansfield,  through  the  influence  of  Col' 
Ephraim  Leonard.  Afterwards,  in  General  Court,  the  motion  was  made 
to  change  the  name  to  one  less  hostile  to  republican  associations,  but 
was  lost.     Authority  for  the  above,  Rev.  M.  Blake. 

t  Page  156,  2d  volume. 

X  The  account  that  follows  has  been  kindly  furnished  by  Rev.  Morti- 
mer Blake  of  Mansfield,  much  interested  and  eminently  successful  in 
antiquarian  researches.    I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  add  a  few  note?. 


280  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

gather  the  following  facts  concerning  the  founders*  of  the 
Mansfield  Church. 

Several  candidates  received  a  call  from  the  infant  church 

*  The  names  of  these  are  not  known.  As  to  any  accurate  list,  Mr. 
Blake  in  answer  to  a  letter  of  inquiry,  says  "the  first  syllable  la  want- 
ing." Some  facts  connected  with  their  earlier  proceedings  are  fortunate- 
ly preserved  and  given  us  in  the  interesting  narrative  of  Mr.  Blake  now 
published.  The  earliest  known  Creed  and  Covenant  of  the  Church  date 
back  as  far  as  Mr.  Green's  ministry,  and,  as  a  part  of  the  ecclesiastical 
history  of  the  town,  are  worthy  of  a  place  in  this  connection. 

"  You  do  believe  the  existence  of  one  Supreme  Being,  who  is  possess- 
ed of  all  possible  perfection  and  glory,  and  that  his  being  is  distinguish- 
ed into  three  glorious  and  undivided  persons,  viz  :  Father,  Son  and  Holy 
Ghost,  and  that  in  fulness  of  time,  God  sent  forth  his  son,  Jesus  Christ,  to 
take  upon  him  the  nature  of  man,  that  consisting  of  and  subsisting  in 
two  natures  and  one  person,  he  might  be  a  fit  Mediator  between 
God  and  man.  And  you  do  now  in  a  solemn  Covenant  give  up  yourself 
to  this  God  and  Jesus  Christ.  You  do  humbly  and  penitently  ask  of 
God  the  forgiveness,  through  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  of  the  sin  of  yr 
nature  as  also  for  your  actual  transgressions,  and  with  all  your  heart  you 
do  accept  of  Jesus  Christ  for  yr  Lord  and  only  Savior  as  he  is  offered 
in  the  gospel,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  for  yr  Sanctifier,  and  you  solemnly 
promise  before  God,  the  holy  angels,  and  in  the  presence  of  this  assem- 
bly that,  being  assisted  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  you  will  forsake  the  vanities 
of  this  evil  world  and  approve  yourself  a  true  disciple  of  Jesus  Christ 
in  all  good  carriage  both  towards  God  and  man.  You  do  believe  that 
there  are  two  sacraments,  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper — the  first,  a 
sign  of  initiation,  which  seals  our  admission  into  the  visible  church  of 
Christ,  and  is  to  be  administered  to  those  and  only  those,  together  with 
their  seed,  that  are  taught  and  discipled  to  Jesus  Christ  and  submit  to  the 
order  of  the  gospel  —  the  other  a  sacrament  that  is  to  be  administered  to 
such  as  have  been  baptized,  of  understanding  to  discern  the  Lord's  body, 
of  blameless  lives  and  conversation  and  accompanied  with  a  manifest  de- 
sire of  hungering  after  Jesus  Christ.  You  do  believe  that  we  arc  to  hold 
communion  of  churches,  and  acknowledge  us  to  be  a  true  church  of  Christ, 
and  promise,  so  long  as  God  shall  continue  yr  abode  with  relation  to  us 
that  you  will  walk  in  Covenant  with  the  church  of  Christ  in  this  place,  sub- 
jecting yourself  to  the  discipline  of  Christ  in  it,  and  promise  by  his  help 
and  grace  to  live  devoted  to  him  all  yr  days,  in  a  faithful  obedience  to 
all  his  commandments.     To  this  you  consent  and  promise. 

I  then,  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  declare  you  to  be  a  member  in 
full  communion  with  the  church  of  Christ  in  this  place,  and  in  the  namo 
of  the  church  I  promise  that,  being  helped  by  the  divine  Spirit,  we  will 
carry  it  towards  you  as  towards  a  member  of  the  same  body  with  our- 
selves, Avhereof  Christ  is  the  head,  and  that  with  a  spirit  of  meekness, 
tenderness  and  care,  earnestly  praying  that  the  Lord  would  take  delight 
in  and  dwell  among  us,  and  that  his  glorious  kingdom  may  be  advanced 
by  us.  —  Amen. 


EBENEZER   WHITE.  281 


before  one  could  be  found  -with  whom  the  pastoral  union 
would  be  mutually  agreeable. 

The  list  of  candidates  is  appended. 

1.  Mr.  Ephraim  Littel.  He  was  the  oldest  son  of  Mr. 
David  Littel,  of  Marshfield,  but  then  resident  of  Scituate; 
afterwards  settled  in  Colchester  Ct.,  20th  Sept.  1732. 

2.  Mr.  Abial  Howard.  He  was  son  of  Jonathan  How- 
ard, of  Bridgewater  ;  afterwards  physician  ;  never  settled 
in  the  ministry. 

3.  Mr.  Atherton  Wales.  He  was  the  fifteenth  child  and 
the  youngest  son  of  Elder  Jonathan  Wales  of  Braintree, 
and  brother  to  Rev.  John  Wales  of  Raynham.  He  set- 
tled in  Marshfield  and  died  there  in  1795,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-two. 

4.  Mr.  Samuel  Tobey.     He  was  a  native  of  Sandwich.* 
These  all  declined  a  settlement.     After  five  years  effort 

the  town  succeeded  in  securing  their  first  minister. 

On  the  7th  of  Sept.  1736,  the  town  "  made  choice  of 
the  Reverend  Mr.  Ebenezer  White,  of  Brookline,  to  set- 
tle in  the  worke  of  the  Gospel  Ministrey  in  said  precinct 
according  to  the  Congregational  platform,  without  one 
negative  vote." 

After  a  long  consideration,  this  call  was  accepted,  4th 
of  Dec.  1736,  and  Mr.  White  was  ordained  23d  Feb'y, 
1737.  Of  the  services  on  that  occasion  no  record  remains. 
Indeed  the  scantiest  fragments  exist  to  construct  any  me- 
moir of  his  ministry  amongst  this  people.  A  diligent  search 
of  several  years  has  detected  none  of  his  writings  printed 
or  in  manuscript,  save  his  answer  to  the  call  of  the  church, 
a  few  receipts  for  his  salary,  and  other  communications. 
His  ministry  was  comparatively  short,  and  broken  up  tow- 
*  Probably  the  same  as  settled  in  Berkley  in  1737  —  its  first  minister. 

24* 


282  THE   MINISTRY    OP   TAUNTON. 

ards  the  close  by  a  sickness  of  some  years.     The  follow- 
ing items  are  all  that  have  been  collected. 

Reverend  Ebenezer  White  was  a  native  of  Brookline , 
and  was  born  March  29,  1713.  He  was  the  son  of  Dea. 
Benjamin  White,  and  grandson  of  Joseph  White  one  of 
the  founders  of  the  church  in  Brookline.  Joseph  White 
had  three  sons  ;  (1)  Rev.  John  White  of  Gloucester,  wTho 
married  a  daughter  of  Father  Moody  of  York ;  (2)  Sam- 
uel White,  Esq.,  who  married  Ann,  daughter  of  John 
Bruce  ;  (3)  Dea.  Benjamin  White,  who  was  the  father  of 
Rev.  Ebenezer  White  of  Mansfield. 

Mr.  White  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1733*  and  receiv- 
ed the  degree  of  A.  M.,  in  course. 

Mr.  White  appears  to  have  been  of  feeble  constitution 
and  predisposed  to  pulmonary  diseases,  which  ultimately 
terminated  his  life.  He  was  frequently  unable  to  dis- 
charge his  ministerial  duties  on  account  of  his  health,  and 
many  town  meetings  were  consequently  called  to  devise 
measures  for  supplying  the  pulpit.  As  a  result  of  these 
interruptions,  a  number  became  uneasy  and  moved  for  a 
dismission.  But  the  church  adhered  to  their  pastor,  and 
at  first  refused  by  a  major  vote  in  the  town  meeting  to  ac- 
cede to  any  such  proposal.  Another  objection  secured  a 
party  against  the  minister,  that  he  had  not  ruled  and  gov- 
erned the  church  "  according  to  the  Platform  of  church 
discipline  which  said  church  had  voted  to  be  their  rule  of 
discipline."  What  particular  reference  is  intended  is  not 
known.  It  could  not  be  any  defection  in  point  of  the  doc- 
trine then  held  by  the  church.     For  although  Mr.  White 

*  There  were  several  ministers  of  that  name  in  the  early  history  of 
our  country.  One  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1692,  another  in  1704,  a 
third  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1733,  and  a  fourth  in  1760. 


EBEXEZER   WHITE.  283 


signed  a  bitter  protest  against  the  revival  of  1740,  }Tet  he 
promises  to  be  no  hindrance  to  the  church  "  in  settling  a 
Learned  and  orthodox  minister  "  among  them  which  he 
declares  "  he  shall  heartily  rejoice  in." 

The  communication  expressing  these  sentiments  is  dated 
"Norton,  Sept.  1,  1760,"  and  was  called  forth  by  a  vote 
of  dismission,  passed  by  the  town  or  precinct  on  July  28, 
of  the  same  year,  in  which  the  church  were  invited  to  join. 
In  consequence  of  this  vote,  he  proposed  to  relinquish 
his  salary  at  the  close  of  his  year  (October)  receiving  pay 
only  when  he  preached,  and  resign  his  pastorate  on  the 
election  of  a  successor.  The  arrangement  was  agreed  to 
and  candidates  again  occupied  the  pulpit. 

Jan.  12, 1761.  The  precinct  met  to  see  if  they  would 
concur  with  the  church  in  their  call  to  Mr.  Roland  Green, 
of  Maiden,  to  become  their  minister  ;  but  on  the  Monday 
following  the  election  of  his  successor  and  while  the  peo- 
ple were  waiting  the  candidate's  reply  to  his  call,  Jan'y 
18,  1761,  Rev.  Mr.  White  died,  in  his  48th  year,  and  the 
24th  of  his  ministry.* 

His  first  wife's  christened  name  was  Lydia  Gennison  of 
Maiden.  She  died  the  28th  of  March,  1749,  in  her  36th 
year.  His  second  wife  was  Hannah  Richards  of  Milton. 
She  survived  him  nearly  forty  years  and  died  in  widow- 
hood, Dec.  1,  1800,  aged  83  years. 

Mr.  White's  children  so  far  as  known,  were  : 

(1)  John,  born  1737,  died  Nov.  23, 1743. 

(2)  Betsey,  who  married  a  Lincoln  of  Norton  and  was 
the  mother  of  Moses  and  Aaron  Lincoln. 

*  His  body  sleeps  by  the  side  of  his  two  wives  in  the  village  grave- 
yard, awaiting  the  call  of  the  archangel.  I  have  read  the  Inscriptions. 
They  correspond  with  these  statements. 


284  TIIE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

(3)  Ebenezer,  b.  March  31,  1742,  mar.  Mary  Hinks 
of  Boston,  Sept.  19,  1765,  d.  Oct.  28,  1812.  He  had 
seven  children,  one  of  whom,  Polly,  still  lives,  in  Mans- 
field. 

(4)  Mary,  mar.  Lemuel  Fisher,  April  7, 1763.  Sev- 
eral of  her  descendants  still  reside  in  town,  one  of  her 
sons,  Daniel,  is  alive  here. 

(5)  Margaret,  mar.  Job  Hodges,  April  15, 1771.  Her 
descendants  are  in  Rutland,  whither  the  family  removed 
about  1800. 

Mr.  White  lived  in  a  two-story  house  fronting  the  east, 
with  a  leanto  on  the  west  side,  about  a  mile  south  from  the 
meeting-house  and  just  within  the  bounds  of  Taunton  old 
township.  The  site  is  now  occupied  by  the  residence  of 
Mr.  Alvan  White. 

Rev.  Roland  Green,  the  successor  of  Mr.  White,  and 
the  second  minister  of  Mansfield,  was  born  in  Maiden, 
Sept.  10,  1737.  His  ancestral  line  is  traceable  to  James 
Green  who  is  found  at  Mystic  Fields  (now  Maiden)  in  1647 
in  which  year  he  was  admitted  freeman.  He  died  March 
29,  1687,  leaving  a  widow,  Elizabeth,  and  two  sons,  John 
and  James.     The  younger  settled  in  Boston. 

II.  John  died  in  1707,  leaving  a  widow,  Mary,  three 
daughters,  and  a  son,  Samuel. 

III.  Samuel,  born  1679  and  died  Feb'y  21, 1761.  His 
wife,  Martha,  died  seven  years  before.  He  left  four  sons 
and  one  daughter. 

IV.  James,  the  oldest  son  was  the  father  of  Rev.  Ro- 
land Green  above.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Joseph 
Hart  well  of  Charles  town,  and  had  two  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters.    He  died  at  Mansfield,  Aug.  21,  1779. 

V.  Roland,  Rev.,  was  the  second  son  and  child,  graduat- 
ed at  Harvard  University  1758,  and  also  A.  M.,  in  course. 


ROLAXD   GREEX.  285 


On  the  12th  of  January,  1761,  Mr.  Green  received  a 
call  from  the  precinct  to  settle  "  as  an  orthodox  gospel 
minister  to  settel  agreeable  to  the  Congregation  Platforme 
in  the  Room  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  "White." 

To  this  call  he  replied  in  the  affirmative,  March  3d. 
Some  expressions  relating  to  the  "  platform,"  in  which  the 
church  seemed  to  be  very  sensitive,  led  to  further  com- 
munications, in  which  the  candidate  declares  his  intention 
to  "  follow  the  platform  so  far  as  it  is  agreable  to  the  word 
of  God."  The  ordination  was  fixed  to  be  on  the  26th  of 
August,  1761,  and  £13  6s  Sd  voted  to  defray  the  expen- 
ses. 

Twelve  churches  were  invited  to  form  the  ordaining 
council,  viz  :  The  two  churches  in  Maiden,  two  in  Attle- 
boro',  two  in  Stoughton,  the  2d  and  3d  churches  in  Ded- 
ham  and  the  churches  in  Taunton,  Walpole,  Norton  and 
Wrentham. 

Council  met  at  Col.  Ephraim  Leonard's.*  The  services 
were  performed  under  the  shade  of  some  venerable  oaks 
west  of  the  meeting-house,  which  were  ruthlessly  felled  a 
few  years  since,  but  no  record  remains  of  the  proceedings, 
nor  of  the  number  of  the  church  at  this  time. 

*  Col.  Ephraim  Leonard  was  son  of  Major  George  Leonard,  who  set- 
tled in  Xorton  in  1690.  He  was  born  Jan.  16,  1706,  and  died  May  2, 
1786.  He  had  three  wives:  1st.  Judith  Perkins;  2d,  Melatiah, '-had 
been  ye  wife  of  Jonathan  "Ware,  Esq.,  and  of  Benjamin  Ware.  >r.  d."  ; 
3d,  Anna,  "  had  been  the  wife  of  Mr.  Elisha  Woodworrh,  and  also  of  ye 
Rev.  Mr.  Timothy  Ruggles."  He  was  a  Colonel,  a  Judge  of  the  Court, 
and  a  man  of  eminent  piety.  He  lived  to  be  more  than  eighty.  He  was 
the  wealthiest  man  in  Mansfield,  and  had  a  greater  influence  in  public 
affairs,  than  any  other  individual  in  that  town.  Col.  Leonard  and  his 
three  wives  lie  buried  in  a  grove  in  Mansfield  a  short  distance  from  his 
former  residence.  The  house  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Calvin 
Thomas,  Esq.  —  (Dean's  Gen.  Mem.  of  Leonard  family,  p.  9.) 

Col.  Ephraim  was  father  of  Hon.  Daniel  Leonard",  a  distinguished 
Taunton  lawyer,  of  whom  a  particular  account  is  given  on  pp.  244,  245, 
of  the  1st  volume. 


280  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

Mr.  Green's  ministry  continued  many  years,  unmarked 
however  by  any  events  of  special  interest. 

The  whole  town  were  united  in  one  society  and  congre- 
gation. An  incomplete  paper  gives  one  hundred  and  forty- 
two  admissions  to  the  church,  two  hundred  and  fifty-nine 
baptisms,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  marriages.  At  his 
death  the  church  embraced  fourteen  male  and  thirty-one 
female  members. 

In  the  early  part  of  his  ministry,  a  new  house  of  wor- 
ship was  erected,  which  still  stands  and  is  occupied  by  the 
Unitarian  Society. 

After  a  long  and  useful  life  Mr.  Green  suddenly  died, 
July  4th,  1808,  in  the  71st  year  of  his  age  and  47th  of 
his  ministry.  He  had  gone  to  Norton  to  join  in  the  cele- 
bration of  our  National  Independence.  On  his  way  from 
Rev.  Mr.  Clarke's  to  the  meeting-house,  he  was  smitten 
with  apoplexy  and  died  in  a  few  hours,  at  2  o'clock,  p.  M.* 

Mr.  Green  married  Miss  Hannah  Fairbanks  of  South 
Dedham.  She  survived  him  a  few  years  and  died  28th  of 
June,  1824.     They  had  seven  children. 

(1)  Roland,  Jr.,  b.  May  9,  1765,  mar.  Miss  Hannah 
Talbot  of  Dighton,  a  physician  of  extensive  practice  in  his 
native  town.     He  died  Oct.  1,  1841,  aged  76. 

Zuinglius  and  Joel  died  in  infancy. 

(4)  Hannah,  born  Dec.  26,  and  died  July  9,  1786. 

(5)  Deborah,  born  May  8,  1773,  married  Horatio  Gil- 
bert, Esq. 

*  Rev.  Stephen  Palmer,  of  Nccdham,  son  of  the  second  minister  of 
Norton,  preached  Mr.  Green's  funeral  sermon.  He  remarks  that  "  for 
the  space  of  thirty  years,  habits  of  the  greatest  intimacy  subsisted  be- 
tween Mr.  Green  and  his  father.  Their  affection  was  mutual  and  unin- 
terrupted." When  Mr.  Palmer  of  Norton,  died,  the  "  father's  friend 
acted  a  father's  part "  toward  the  orphan  children. 


ROLAND  GREEN.  287 


(6)  Nabby,  born  July  22,  IT 75,  was  married  to  Mr. 
Henry  Sweet  of  Attleboro',  and  is  dead. 

(7)  Simeon,  born  June  3,  1779,  married  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Hodges,  daughter  of  John  Hodges.  She  died  Aug. 
20,  1819,  and  he  married  Miss  Fanny  Francis  of  this 
place. 

It  is  not  known  that  any  sermons  of  Mr.  Green  were 
printed,  other  than  the  last  one  he  preached  and  which  is 
appended  to  his  funeral  sermon.*  His  manuscripts  were 
mostly  written  in  brief  and  with  many  abbreviations,  and 
but  a  few  only  of  even  these  remain. f  A  record,  how- 
ever, of  him  made  by  a  committee  of  the  Bristol  Associa- 
tion, speaks  of  him  in  the  following  terms : 

"  It  pleased  the  God  of  nature  to  furnish  him  with  an 
athletic  constitution  of  body,  vigorous  powers  of  mind, 
and  a  lively  cheerful  disposition.  In  the  early  part  of  his 
life  he  was  small  in  stature,  though  ever  of  a  bold  and 
resolute  mien.  As  he  advanced  in  years  he  grew  so  fleshy 
as  to  carry  a  portly  appearance.  Quickness  of  perception, 
vivacity  and  energy  of  thought  were  prominent  features  in 
the  complexion  of  his  mind.  In  the  private  walks  of  life 
he  was  pleasant  and  facetious,  and  partook  largely  of  the 
joys  of  social  intercourse.  In  chambers  of  sickness  and 
mourning  he  took  a  sympathetic  part  with  the  distressed 
and  was  ready  to  administer  the  balm  of  comfort.     Though 

*  Note  A. 

t  The  only  remaining  son  of  the  minister  Mr.  Simeon  Green,  ha9 
permitted  me  to  examine  several  of  the  manuscript  sermons  of  his  fath- 
er. I  find  them  of  an  interesting  character,  and,  if  our  limits  would  al- 
low, one  or  more  of  them  should  be  inserted  in  this  work.  I  must  con- 
tent myself  with  the  reprint  of  the  "  Substance  of  a  Sermon,"  the  last 
Mr.  Green  ever  preached,  which  was  appended  to  his  funeral  sermon,  and 
which  will  be  found  in  Note  A. 

Among  the  manuscripts  committed  to  me,  is  a  "  Charge  by  the  Key 
Roland  Green,  Mansfield,"  which  will  be  found  in  Note  B. 


288 


TIIE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 


he  was  feelingly  alive  to  another's  woe  his  own  troubles 
and  afflictions  were  cautiously  kept  to  himself.  In  his 
family,  he  was  kind  and  indulgent,  provident  and  exempla- 
ry. He  was  strong  in  his  attachments,  ardent  in  his  af- 
fection for  his  country,  fervent  in  his  friendship  towards 
his  brother  clergymen  and  a  lover  of  order  and  decorum. 

In  the  appropriate  duties  of  his  profession  he  was  punc- 
tual, energetic  and  faithful.  He  possessed  the  gift  of 
prayer  in  a  happy  degree  and  on  special  occasions  his 
thoughts  and  expressions  were  ready,  pertinent  and  im- 
pressive. In  the  public  services  of  the  sanctuary  he  used 
plainness  of  speech,  and  his  general  strain  of  instruction 
was  evangelical  and  practical.  He  professed  one  only  to 
be  his  master,  even  Christ,  and  disdained  to  teach  for  doc- 
trines the  commandments  of  men.  He  went  not  to  hu- 
man creeds,  but  to  the  Word  of  God  for  doctrine,  reproof 
and  instruction.  What  he  believed  to  be  scriptural,  he 
boldly  inculcated  and  enforced.  Founding  his  opinions  on 
what  he  conceived  to  be  the  true  sense  of  the  Gospel,  he 
was  strong  in  the  faith  and  valiant  in  the  truth.  He  nev- 
er disguised  his  sentiments  through  fear  or  favor  of  men, 
but  what  he  believed  he  openly  avowed.  The  vice  of  hy- 
pocrisy was  a  stranger  to  his  heart,  and  we  have  reason  to 
hope  that  his  endeavors  to  promote  the  cause  of  his  Re- 
deemer constitute  a  bright  gem  in  the  crown  of  his  present 
rejoicing." 

"By  the  Com.— J.  Pipon,  S.  Doggett,  P.  Clarke." 


Mr.  Green  is  chiefly  remembered  by  the  aged  people, 
for  his  kind,  cheerful  and  social  disposition,  and  his  gener- 
al affability  of  manners.     His  people  continued  united  in 


RICHARD    BRIGGS.  289 


him  during  his  life,  and  the  concourse  at  the  funeral*  ex- 
hibited indications  of  the  depth  to  -which  their  sympathies 
were  disturbed  by  the  sudden  departure  of  their  pastor. 

The  pulpit  was  occupied  with  occasional  supplies  until 
the  following  April,  when  the  society  united  with  the  church 
in  extending  a  call  to  Mr.  Richard  Briggs  to  settle  over 
them  in  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  The  call  is 
dated  April  13,  1809,  and  Mr.  Briggs'  answer  on  the  day 
following.  It  was  in  the  affirmative.  He  was  ordained 
May  24,  1809. 

The  Council  was  composed  of  the  two  churches  in 
Bridge  water  and  the  churches  in  Walpole,  Easton,  Middle- 
boro',  Stoughton,  Halifax,  Sharon,  Boxford,  Foxboro',  and 
Norton.     The  services  were  as  follows  : 

Introductory  Prayer.  —  Rev.  Mr.  Morey,  of  Walpole. 

Sermon.  —  Rev.  Mr.  Richmond,  of  Stoughton. 

Ordaining  Prayer.  —  Rev.  Dr.  Reed,  of  Bridge  water. 

Charge.  —  Rev.  Dr.  Sanger,  of  Bridgewater. 

*  Appended  to  the  funeral  sermon  is  a  "  Biographical  Sketch,  by 
another  hand,"  in  which  the  last  Sabbath  of  the  minister  of  Mansfield, 
and  the  funeral  occasion  are  thus  described.  "  The  day  prior  to  his  exit 
he  administered  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  In  the  morning 
exercise  he  was  impressive,  inviting  his  hearers  to  celebrate  the  victory 
obtain  cd  by  our  Savior  at  his  death ;  and  as  the  celebration  of  our  Inde- 
pmdence  was  to  take  place  the  next  day,  he  took  occasion  to  impress  on 
their  minds  the  superior  importance  of  celebrating  the  triumphs  of 
Christ,  above  that  of  our  Independence.  On  the  morning  following, 
(July  4,)  he  arose  with  uncommon  health  and  cheerfulness,  rode  mode- 
rately to  Rev.  Mr.  Clark's,  was  congratulated  on  his  good  state  of  health 
started  for  the  meeting-house,  on  the  way  was  seized  with  a  fit  of  apo- 
plexy, and  at  2,  p.  M.,  expired.  He  was  'buried  on  the  6th,  with  every 
mark  of  respect  from  a  congregation  of  600  persons,  who  moved  to  the 
grave  in  the  following  order :  Band,  playing  a  funeral  dirge.  Male  mem- 
bers of  the  Church,  Bearers,  Corpse,  Pall  supported  by  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Thacher,  Morey,  Reed,  Palmer,  Richmond,  Clarke,  Eisk,  Whittaker ; 
Mourners,  Particular  friends  of  the  deceased,  Female  members  of  the 
Church,  Singing  Society,  Members  of  the  Congregation,  Strangers." 
They  laid  him  down  by  the  side  of  his  predecessor  in  the  ministry,  sur- 
rounded by  scores  of  his  beloved  people.  His  wife  also  slumbers  by  his 
side. 

25 


290  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

Right  Hand  of  Fellowship. — Rev.  P.  Clarke,  Norton. 

Concluding  Prayer. — Rev.  Mr.  Briggs,  of  Boxford. 

Rev.  Richard  Briggs,  the  third  minister  of  Mansfield, 
■was  a  native  of  Halifax,  and  descendant  of  Mr.  Richard 
Briggs,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Taunton.  Three  gen- 
erations bore  the  name  of  Richard,  the  last  of  whom  was 
Deacon  of  the  church  in  Mansfield,  and  grandfather  of 
Rev.  R.  Briggs.  His  father,  Ephraim,  was  pastor  of  the 
church  in  Halifax,  where  he  himself  was  born,  2d  March, 
1782.  He  graduated  at  Brown  University  in  1804,  and 
received  the  degree  of  A.  M.  in  course.  He  studied  the- 
ology with  Rev.  Doctor  Richmond  of  Stoughton,  afterwards 
of  Dorchester. 

Mr.  Briggs  arrived  in  town  the  last  day  in  December, 
1808,  and  preached  on  the  following  Sabbath.  His  labors 
were  acceptable  to  the  people,  and  the  church  extended  to 
him  a  call  to  settle  over  them  28th  February,  1809,  which 
call  was  seconded  by  the  parish,  as  before  stated,  13th 
April,  1809. 

He  continued  the  active  minister  of  this  people  until 
1833,  when  he  was  disabled  by  sickness.  His  last  public 
performance  was  on  20th  January,  1833,  twenty-five  years 
from  his  first  sermon;  and  his  last  texts  were,  in  the  A.  M., 
Gal.  6:  9,  in  the  p.  m.,  Philippians  3:  13. 

He  lingered,  however,  from  this  date,  in  a  feeble  state, 
incapable  of  professional  labor  for  four  years.  He  died  5 
July,  1837,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five,  just  twenty-nine  years 
and  one  day  after  his  predecessor.*  He  had  received  a 
dismission  8th  December,  1834. 

*  It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  the  first  three  ministers  of  Mansfield 
lie  buried  side  by  side  in  the  town  where  they  ministered.  A  few  days 
since  I  looked  upon  their  graves  —  a  sight  delightful,  as  it  is  rai'e  even 
in  the  most  ancient  and  stable  parts  of  the  Commonwealth. 


RICHARD    BRIGGS.  291 


The  people  of  Mansfield  seem  not  to  have  been  given  to 
publishing  the  sermons  of  their  ministers,  and  therefore 
Mr.  Briggs,  like  his  predecessors,  left  no  printed  specimen 
of  his  abilities  as  a  writer. 

The  following  sketch  of  Mr.  Briggs  was  drawn  up  by 
one  of  his  hearers  through  the  whole  of  his  ministry,  and 
a  man  of  reliable  sagacity  and  candor.  It  no  doubt  ex- 
presses the  impression  of  his  surviving  people. 

"  Mr.  Briggs'  character  as  a  man,  was  irreproachable. 
He  was  kind,  sympathetic  and  generous.  He  was  em- 
phatically a  flulantliropnt — seemed  to  feel  for  'all  the 
woes  of  mankind.'  He  was  peculiarly  fond  of  children; 
always  addressing  them  with  tenderness,  and  often  bestow- 
ing upon  them  some  small  token  of  approbation.  Perhaps 
the  most  prominent  trait  in  his  character  was  benevolence 
—  an  untiring  assiduity  in  administering  to  the  wants  of 
all  with  whom  he  had  intercourse  in  the  world.  He  was 
accustomed  to  speak  of  the  '  luxury  of  doing  good,'  as  if 
it  were  the  very  height  of  earthly  enjoyment ;  and  this 
was  doubtless,  the  sincere  expression  of  his  own  personal 
feelings.  It  is  believed  that  all  who  were  acquainted  with 
Mr.  Briggs  will  agree  in  saying  that  he  had  not — at  least 
while  residing  in  this  place — one  personal  enemy. 

In  stature,  Mr.  Briggs  was  somewhat  above  the  middle 
size,  being  about  five  feet,  ten  inches  in  height,  well  form- 
ed, though  not  athletic ;  complexion  light,  face  large  and 
square,  forehead  high  and  broad;  exhibiting  in  his  coun- 
tenance a  union  of  mildness  with  solemnity.  His  voice 
was  peculiarly  sonorous,  and  his  gestures  in  speaking  nat- 
ural and  graceful." 

Mr.  Briggs  married  Miss  Fanny  D.  Billings,  daughter 
of  Doctor  Benjamin  Billings  of  this  town.     His  widow 


292  THE   MINISTRY    OF   TAUNTON. 

still   survives,   a   respected  member   of   the    Trinitarian 
Congregational  Church  in  town. 

After  the  failure  of  Mr.  Briggs'  ability  to  preach,  Rev. 
Nathan  Holman,  formerly  of  Attleboro',  was  engaged  to 
supply  the  desk,  which  he  did  until  16th  June,  1833,  and 
alternately  with  Rev.  Doctor  Saunders  of  Medfield,  from 
that  date  until  January,  1835.  The  various  tastes  of  the 
congregation  led  to  this  arrangement. 

On  the  30th  January,  1835,  Mr.  James  H.  Sayward  of 
Gloucester,  arrived,  and  preached  on  the  Sabbath  follow- 
ing from  1  Thess.  5:  15.  His  labors  were  acceptable  to 
the  people  generally,  so  that  on  the  27th  April,  a  call  was 
extended  to  him  to  become  their  minister,  and  the  sum  of 
five  hundred  dollars  annually  was  offered  him  as  salary  for 
three  years,  and  longer  "as  the  parties  shall  mutually 
agree." 

His  answer,  dated  the  same  day,  wras  in  the  affirmative. 
The  17th  of  June  was  fixe  1  for  the  ordination  services, 
and  fourteen  churches  were  invited  to  form  a  council. 

This  connection  was  not  of  long  continuance.  On  the 
7th  May,  1837,  Mr.  Sayward  requested  a  dismission  at  the 
end  of  his  pastoral  year,  which,  at  a  meeting  on  the  29th, 
was  granted,  and  he  was  dismissed  17th  June,  1837,  two 
years  from  his  ordination. 

Mr.  Sayward  married  Miss  Mary  B.  Pratt,  daughter  of 
Hon.  Solomon  Pratt  of  Mansfield.  He  died  in  Fitzwil- 
liam,  1ST.  H.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  pastoral  labor,  Jan- 
uary 13,  1844,  at  the  age  of  thirty-six.  He,  like  his 
predecessors,  White,  Green  and  Briggs,  was  buried  in 
Mansfield.  His  widow  still  resides  there.  The  ministry 
of  Mr.  Sayward  was  too  short  to  be  marked  with  any  pe- 
culiar results, 


SECOND   CONG.    SOCIETY  IN  MANSFIELD.  293 

Soon  after  his  arrival,  he  proposed  and  assisted  in  form- 
ing a  Female  Benevolent  Society,  the  first  in  the  town. 
He  also  warmly  engaged  in  the  Temperance  cause,  the 
Sabbath  School,  and  Bible  Class ;  and  for  some  time  held 
weekly  meetings  at  private  houses  for  prayer  and  confer- 
ence. Throughout  his  ministry  he  manifested  a  deep  in- 
terest in  the  welfare  of  his  people,  and  resigned  his  charge 
amongst  them  only  from  the  conviction  forced  upon  him 
"after  long  and  serious  deliberation,"  that  the  existing 
state  of  things  was  a  preventive  of  its  farther  advanta- 
geous continuance.  No  publication  of  his  is  known  to 
exist  in  print,  as  an  index  of  his  intellectual  ability. 

In  continuing  the  history  of  the  Congregational  Church 
in  Mansfield,  it  is  necessary  there,  as  in  many,  if  not  most 
of  the  towns  in  the  Commonwealth,  to  speak  of  it  as  in 
two  bands.  Here,  as  in  previous  parts  of  our  history,  it 
is  our  single  object  to  give  facts,  and  leave  inferences  from 
those  facts  to  others. 

May  9, 1838,  a  new  society  was  formed,  called  the 
"Orthodox  Congregational  Society,"  composed  of  twenty- 
eight  legal  voters,  who  were  legally  organized  October  6, 
of  the  same  year.  On  the  20th  of  October,  1838,  Dea. 
Daniel  Williams,  the  only  officer  in  the  Congregational 
Church,  fourteen  other  males,  and  twenty-four  females, 
connected  themselves  with  this  society,  calling  themselves 
as  a  church,  by  the  same  name  which  the  new  society  had 
assumed.  They  at  once  commenced  public  worship  in  a 
school-house,  Rev.  N.  Holman,  who  supplied  the  church 
previous  to  Mr.  Sayward's  settlement,  being  the  preacher. 
They  afterwards  hired  the  Hall  of  the  Village  Hotel,  which 
they  occupied,  until  a  meeting-house  was  completed,  and 
dedicated  in  1839.  Rev.  Mr.  Hunt,  afterward  of  Natick, 
25* 


294  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

now  of  Franklin,  preached  to  this  people  for  a  time.  He 
was  never  settled.     Their  first  and  present  Pastor, 

Rev.  Mortimer  Blake,*  of  Franklin,  a  graduate  of 
Amherst  in  1835,  was  ordained  December  4, 1839.  Rev. 
Doctor  Smalley,  then  of  Franklin,  now  of  Worcester, 
preached  the  sermon.  The  church  soon  after  enjoyed  a 
revival  of  religion  which  enlarged  and  strengthened  the 
congregation,  and  added  to  the  church  twenty-four ;  which 
is  less  than  one  third  of  the  number  added  since  its  new 
connection. 

The  original  Parish,  and  the  residue  of  the  church,  con- 
sisting, as  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained,  of  four  males  and 
twenty-five  females,  united  in  calling  Mr.  James  L.  Stone 
of  Bridgewater,  a  member  of  Brown  University,  to  become 
their  Pastor.  He  accepted  the  invitation,  and  was  ordain- 
ed October  28,  1840.  He  was  dismissed  in  1844 ;  since 
which  time,  the  pulpit  has  been  occupied  by  stated  sup- 
plies, until  1850,  when  Mr.  Daniel  W.  Stevens  of  Marl- 
boro', was  ordained  as  Pastor,  which  office  he  continues  to 
fill  acceptably  to  his  people. 

Society  of  Friends. 

Up  to  the  year  of  Mr.  Briggs'  settlement,  but  one  re- 
ligious society  existed  in  Mansfield,  and  this  embraced 
several  families  within  the  limits  of  Stoughton.     In  1809, 

*  Mr.  Blake  has  published  several  discourses.  I  have  seen  a  "  sermon 
occasioned  by  the  sudden  death  of  Harvey  Cobb,  delivered  on  the  Sab- 
bath following,"  printed  in  1844  ;  "a  sermon  on  the  spiritual  advantages 
of  mortality,"  occasioned  by  the  death  of  Mrs.  Martha  Mason,  in  1845  ; 
"  Two  sermons  on  the  import  of  the  Church  Covenant,  and  the  duty  of 
mutual  forbearance,  published  by  request,  in  1846  ;  "  an  address  deliver- 
ed at  the  erection  of  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  Doctor  Emmons  in 
1846 ;  a  small  work,  entitled  "  Gethsemane  and  Calvary,"  portraying 
some  of  the  closing  scenes  of  the  life  of  our  Savior.  He  is  now  prepar- 
ing a  history  of  the  Mendon  Association  of  Ministers,  which  will  soon 
be  published,  and  prove  a  valuable  ecclesiastical  document. 


CHURCHES  IN  MANSFIELD.  295 

the  denomination  of  Friends  built  a  meeting-house,  and 
formed  a  small  congregation. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

This  church  was  gathered,  and  a  meeting-house  was 
erected  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town,  in  1811.  Their 
ministers  have  of  course  changed  nearly  if  not  quite  every 
year. 

Christian  Baptist  Church. 

This  is  located  in  the  westerly  part  of  the  town.  The 
society  was  organized,  and  house  of  worship  built  in  1830. 
Their  ministers  have  been  Messrs.  Morton,  Russell,  and 
Goodwin. 

Calvinist  Baptist  Church. 

That  portion  of  the  Baptists  in  town  who  were  Calvin- 
istic,  associated  with  their  brethren  of  Foxboro',  whose 
meeting-house  was  near  the  north-western  limits  of  Mans- 
field, until  1837,  the  year  of  Mr.  Sayward's  dismission, 
when  a  new  congregation  was  formed  in  the  centre  of 
Mansfield,  and  a  meeting-house  was  built,  which  they  still 
occupy.  Their  ministers,  who  have  not  been  settled  as 
Pastors,  but  engaged  as  stated  supplies,  have  been  Messrs. 
Tingley,  Bosworth,  Page,  Sibley,  Saunderson,  Appleton, 
Allen,  and  Carr.  Rev.  Mr.  Lewis  is  about  entering  upon 
ministerial  service  with  that  people. 


APPENDIX  TO  CHAPTER  TENTH. 


Note  A.     Page  287. 

The  Substance  of  a  SERMON  Preached  at  MANSFIELD, 
July  3,  1808  — p.  m. 

By  the  Rev.  ROLAND  GREEN, 
Late  Pastor  of  the  Church  in  that  Town. 

N.  B.     This  was  the  last  Sermon  he  ever  delivered.     Of 
course  it  may  be  considered,  in  some  respects,  as  containing  his 
dying  words.  To  his  People,  they  were  his  Last  Words.  What 
is  here  inserted  is  a  SUMMARY  of  what  was  then  delivered. 
Published  by  Request. 


EPHESIANS,  v.  6. 
Let  no  man  deceive  you  with  vain  words  ;  for  because  of  these 
things  cometh  the  wrath  of  God,  upon  the  children  of  diso- 
bedience. 

rpiHE  Apostle  urges  the  Ephesians  to  universal  holiness ;  and 
-■-  enforces  the  duty  from  the  consideration  of  the  divine  com- 
passion, displayed  in  the  gospel.  He  strongly  cautions  them 
against  the  gross  impurities  of  the  Heathen.  Gross  immorali- 
ties are  to  be  abhorred.  For  the  Apostle  observes  :  No  whore- 
monger, nor  unclean  person,  nor  covetous  man,  who  is  an  idol- 
ater, hath  any  inheritance  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ  and  of 
God.  Such  as  are  impenitent,  and  allow  themselves,  either  in 
the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  or  the  love  of  the  world,  do  not  savingly 
belong  to  the  kingdom  of  grace  ;  nor,  as  such,  shall  they  ever 
come  to  the  kingdom  of  glory.     Let  none,  then,  in  this  respect, 


ROLAND    GREEN'S   LAST   SERMON.  297 

amuse  and  deceive  you,  with  vain  and  sophistical  reasonings, 
who  would  attempt  a  vindication  of  these  things  ;  or,  at  least, 
extenuate  the  evil  of  them  ;  as  though  they  were  not  provoking 
in  the  eyes  of  God  —  or  that  you  may  indulge  them,  and  escape 
with  impunity.  Satan  deceived  our  first  parents  with  vain  words 
when  he  said  to  them  :  Ye  shall  not  surely  die.  On  account  of 
these  things  the  wrath  of  God  cometh  upon  the  children  of  diso- 
bedience and  infidelity.  If  the  Heathen  are  punished  for  them, 
much  less  can  we  suppose,  those  who  profess  the  gospel  —  who 
have  so  much  greater  advantages,  for  purity  and  virtue,  in  all 
their  branches,  and  are  under  such  peculiar  engagements  to 
cultivate  the  same,  shall  escape  with  impunity.* 

By  the  children  of  disobedience  may  be  meant  the  Heathen, 
who  disbelieved  and  refused  the  gospel ;  or  more  generally,  all 
obstinate  sinners,  who  will  not  be  reclaimed.  Disobedience  is 
the  very  malignity  of  sin ;  and  the  wrath  of  God  comes  upon 
the  children  of  such,  sometimes  in  this  world  ;  but  more  awful- 
ly in  the  next.  We  ought  not  to  be  partakers  with  them  in  their 
sins,  that  we  may  not  be  sharers  with  them  in  their  plagues. 
"We  partake  with  other  men  in  their  sins,  when  we  pursue  the 
same  course  of  disobedience  ;  when  we  comply  with  temptation 
and  consent  to  sin ;  but  more  generally,  when  we  engage  with 
them  in  then-  sin,  prompt  them  to  it,  and  do  not,  when  in  our 
power,  prevent  them  from  it.  Because  of  these  things,  the 
wrath  of  God  cometh  upon  the  children  of  disobedience.  Ma- 
ny sophistical  reasons  men  have,  to  palliate  and  excuse  their 
vices  ;  but  if  the  wrath  of  God  falls  upon  the  Heathen  for  these 
things,  let  us  not  imagine,  that  we  can  practice  them  with  im- 
punity j  and  let  us  not  presume  to  be  partakers  with  them.  These 
things  have  reference  to  the  verse  preceding  our  text,  where  the 
enormities  of  the  Gentile  state  are  displayed. 

The  method  of  our  discourse  is,  to  enquire  — 

I.     What  we  are  to  understand  by  the  wrath  of  God. 
*  Vide  Doddridge  in  loc. 


298  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

II.     "Who  may  expect  to  endure  bis  wrath. 

I.     What  we  are  to  understand  by  tbe  wrath  of  God. 

The  word  wrath  denotes  the  highest  degree  of  displeasure, 
and  resentment.  When  we  read  of  the  wrath  of  God,  or  any 
other  passion,  it  is  by  way  of  allusion  to  man.  For  in  reality 
God  is  not  subject  to  such  passions  as  we  are.  Our  conceptions 
of  God  are  very  imperfect.  We  want  language,  when  we  speak 
of  the  incomprehensible  Deity ;  and  are  forced  to  borrow  meta- 
phors from  creatures,  especially  from  man,  to  describe  him. 
Thus  we  call  such  a  manner  of  acting,  as  would  be  the  effect  of 
love  among  men,  the  love  of  God —  and  such  a  manner  of  act- 
ing, as  would  be  the  fruit  of  anger  and  resentment  among  men, 
we  call  the  wrath  of  God.  When  we  read  of  God's  wrath,  we 
are  not  to  understand  by  it,  any  such  violent  emotions  of  the 
mind,  as  in  man,  when  provoked  to  wrath  ;  but  only,  as  when  a 
man  is  angry  with  another  for  some  fault  or  offence,  he  will  pun- 
ish him  severely  for  it,  if  he  has  power  so  to  do.  So  God's 
punishing  sinners,  with  exquisite  tortures  in  hell,  is  called  his 
wrath.  Sometimes  the  wrath  of  God  comes  upon  sinners  in 
this  world,  as  in  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  Egypt  and  Jerusalem. 
It  is  spoken  also  to  denote  a  future  punishment.  The  day  of 
judgment,  when  God  will  inflict  upon  the  wicked  the  full  and 
deserved  punishment  of  their  sins,  is  called  the  great  day  of  his 
wrath.  —  Rev.  vi.  17.  However  dreadful  the  displays  of  di- 
vine wrath  are,  in  this  life,  upon  communities  and  particular 
persons,  they  are  not  to  be  compared  with  the  dreadful  execu- 
tion of  divine  wrath  in  a  future  state. 

On  whom  the  wrath  of  God  comes,  it  implies,  in  the  first 
place,  a  loss  of  divine  favor,  and  all  the  blessings  which  follow 
it.  When  the  final  and  dreadful  sentence  shall  be  given,  they 
shall  go  away  —  from  whom  ?  From  the  presence  of  God  and 
Christ ;  from  the  company  of  the  blessed  ;  and  from  all  the  joys 
and  glory  of  heaven  !  Was  this  all,  it  would  be  a  dreadful  pun- 
.  ishment ;  but  it  implies  also  a  total  loss  of  all  that  is  good  and 


ROLAND  GREEN'S  LAST  SERMON.        299 

happy,  in  the  last  period  of  time.  The  Spirit  of  God  will  ut- 
terly forsake  them ;  nor  excite  in  them  one  faint  desire  after 
holiness,  when  once  the  soul  is  banished  from  God  and  heaven. 
How  will  they  view  their  lost  happiness  ?  When  the  ivrath  of 
God  comes,  then  closes  the  scene  of  all  the  means  of  grace  ;  and 
a  consideration  of  having  despised  those  means,  will  but  increase 
their  woe.  Secondly,  it  implies  a  positive  punishment,  not  only 
a  sense  of  what  they  have  lost,  but  an  infliction  of  punishment. 
They  shall  go  away  into  everlasting  punishment,  which  no 
doubt  implies,  that  they  shall  suffer  pain  —  the  pains  of  hell. 
There  sinners  will  dwell.  There  is  the  never  dying  worm. 
There  miserable  wretches  suffer  the  vengeance  of  eternal  fire. 
These  are  dreadful  images,  and  fearful  representations  of  the 
state  of  everlasting  condemnation,  which  will  be  the  portion  of 
the  wicked.  A  sense  of  God's  wrath,  impressed  upon  the  con- 
science, is  dreadful ;  but  it  will  be  greater,  when  the  punish- 
ment shall  come  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  from  the 
glory  of  his  power. 

II.  Who  may  expect  to  endure  the  wrath  of  God. 

When  we  read  in  the  context  of  the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  of  cov- 
etousness,  and  the  like,  we  may  say,  in  consequence  of  all  sin, 
comes  the  wrath  of  God.  It  comes  upon  such  children  of  dis- 
obedience, as  live  and  die  in  a  state  of  impenitence  ;  unreformed 
and  without  an  interest  in  the  pardoning  mercy  of  God,  through 
Christ.  Such  sins  as  are  more  immediately  committed  against 
God  ;  such  as  are  forbidden  by  the  first  table  of  the  law ;  or 
those  against  the  second  table,  which  prescribes  our  duty  towards 
our  neighbor,  deserve  this  wrath.  The  Heathen  shall  not  es- 
cape. They  will  be  punished,  for  their  rebellion  against  the 
light  of  law  and  nature.  And  shall  those,  who  know  the 
mind  of  God,  as  revealed  in  the  gospel ;  who  have  a  clear  reve- 
lation of  truth  and  duty,  escape  ?  Such  may  expect  this  wrath 
who  are  neither  awed  by  threatenings,  nor  moved  by  mercies. 
Neglecting  mercies  and  means  of  grace  will  greatly  aggravate 
the  condemnation  another  day  ;  and  the  gospel,  which  was  or- 


300  THE   MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

dained  to  life,  will,  to  such  offenders,  be  unto  death.  Christ 
told  the  unbelieving  inhabitants  of  Chorazin  and  Bethsaida, 
that  it  would  be  more  tolerable  for  Tyre  and  Sidon,  at  the  day 
°J 'judgment,  than  for  them.  The  Heathen,  who  had  been 
guilty  of  gross  immoralities,  never  had  such  means  of  escape, 
as  we  have  under  the  gospel ;  and  if  we  add  to  all  our  other 
sins,  that  of  disobeying  the  gospel  and  despising  an  offered  Sa- 
vior, the  wrath  of  God  icill  come  in  a  dreadful  manner.  Those 
who  have  sinned  against  warnings,  counsels  and  invitations,  are 
objects  of  this  wrath.  On  the  impious  and  profane  ;  the  ungod- 
ly and  irreligious,  comes  the  wrath  of  God ;  nor  will  any  such 
escape.  Xo  outward  profession  of  religion,  nor  zeal  for  doc- 
trines, nor  modes  of  worship,  will  make  up  the  want  of  moral 
honesty,  in  the  great  day  of  accounts. 

IMPROVEMENT. 

1.  Let  us  learn,  then,  not  to  make  light  of  any  sin  whatever. 
For  God's  wrath  will  come  upon  all  transgressors  of  his  holy 
law ;  and  without  a  pardon,  through  the  blood  of  Christ,  the 
least  sin  will  sink  us  down  to  hell  forever. 

2.  Let  us  be  thankful  for  Jesus  Christ.  If  this  wrath  comes 
upon  a  guilty  world;  and  it  inevitably  will,  how  should  we 
rejoice,  that  Jesus  Christ  has  taken  this  wrath  upon  himself ; 
and  has,  in  his  own  person,  endured  the  cross,  despised  the 
shame  ;  and  has  opened  a  way  for  sinners  to  escape  this  wrath  ! 
It  follows  — 

3.  That  sinners  are  to  be  entreated  to  fly  from  this  wrath. 
Oh  !  Be  entreated  to  take  the  warning ;  now  be  entreated  to 
make  application  to  the  Son  of  God,  to  Jesus  the  Mediator  of 
the  new  covenant.  You  see  what  is  coming  upon  this  impious 
world,  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins  ;  and  be  entreated  to  pre- 
pare to  meet  your  God,  and  ply  from  the  wrath  to  come. 


301 


Note  B.     Pace  287 


There  is  no  certain  evidence  for  what  particular  occasion  the 
following  Charge  was  prepared.  It  was  however  a  "  church  an- 
tient  and  renowned,"  (as  Mr.  Green  expresses  it)  which  was 
about  settling  a  minister,  and  what  more  appropriate  application 
could  the  expression  have  than  to  the  Church  of  Taunton,  and 
what  more  probable  than  that  the  Charge  was  given  in  1780, 
when  Ephraim  Judson  was  inducted  into  the  Pastoral  office,  over 
that  Church. 

The  CHARGE,  by  Rev.  ROLAND  GREEN,  Mansfield. 

Whereas  it  hath  pleased  the  glorious  Head  of  the  Church  to 
call  you  to  take  part  of  the  evangelical  ministry,  and  in  his  all- 
wise  Providence  to  incline  the  hearts  of  this  people  to  invite  you 
to  become  their  Spiritual  Guide,  and  you  to  accept  of  their  in- 
vitation : 

We,  who  are  Pastors  of  Churches,  by  special  appointment 
hereunto,  do  in  this  public  manner  declare  you  an  ordained  min- 
ister, in  office  equal  with  ourselves,  and  commit  to  your  pastoral 
care  the  Church  and  people  of  God,  usually  meeting  for  public 
worship  within  these  walls  —  charitably  believing  that  you  take 
the  oversight  of  them  from  love  to  Christ,  and  a  sincere  desire  to 
promote  his  interest  in  the  world. 

We  shall  now  proceed  to  the  solemn  Charge  usually  given  on 
such  occasions,  and  here  a  large  field  opens  to  our  view,  of  im- 
portant duties  inseparably  connected  with  the  ministerial  charac- 
ter. 

We  charge  you  before  God,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  the 
elect  angel  3  that  you  fulfil  the  ministry  you  have  received  — 
take  heed  to  yourself  that  you  be  a  man  of  God  —  take  heed  to 
your  Doctrine,  that  it  be  pure,  Scriptural  and  uncorrupted  with 
human  inventions —  preach  the  word,  preach  it  faithfully,  plain- 
ly, affectionately,  and  with  a  seriousness  becoming  a  messenger 
sent  by  God  to  his  people  upon  their  most  important  concerns  ; 
26 


302  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

preach  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified,  Christ  the  wisdom  and 
the  power  of  God  —  display  the  glories  of  his  divine  person 
and  character  —  represent  him  as  he  is  represented  in  the  sacred 
Scriptures,  the  mighty  God,  the  everlasting  Father,  the  Prince 
of  peace,  the  Alpha  and  the  Omega  —  hold  up  to  view  the  de- 
pravity of  human  nature,  the  necessity  of  efficacious  Grace, 
preach  repentance  towards  God  and  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  —  the  nature  and  importance  of  universal  holiness  — 
testify  and  declare  to  all  such  as  profess  to  believe,  that  they 
maintain  good  works,  as  these  are  good  and  profitable  unto  men. 

As  an  Ambassador  and  Agent  for  Christ  beseech  sinners  to 
be  reconciled  unto  God,  compel  them  to  come  in,  as  you  have 
heard  this  day. 

As  a  Steward  feed  Christ's  Sheep  and  Lambs —  as  a  Watch- 
man, give  warning  of  approaching  danger  and  watch  for  souls 
as  one  that  must  give  up  an  account  to  the  Great  Lord  of  all. 

As  a  Light  in  this  Golden  Candle,  shine  with  the  Light  of 
Doctrine  and  Example. 

In  reproving  and  rebuking,  see  that  you  attend  to  these  with 
long  suffering  and  patience  —  in  the  cause  of  God  be  faithful, 
bear  a  faithful  testimony  against  the  prevailing  sins  of  the  pres- 
ent day. 

Administer  the  seals  of  the  new  Testament,  making  a  differ- 
ence between  the  precious  and  the  vile.  Open  the  doors  of  the 
Church  as  wide  as  Christ  and  his  Apostles  have  set  them  —  nev- 
er narrow  the  limits  of  the  Church,  by  unscriptural  terms  of 
communion.  Urge  upon  your  hearers  the  importance  of  a 
public  profession  of  Religion,  and  of  bringing  their  infant  off- 
spring to  Christ  in  the  way  of  his  ordinance,  "  for  of  such  is 
the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

In  governing  the  Church,  preside  with  dignity  as  an  officer  of 
Christ,  and  be  governed  by  his  Laws,  and  guard  against  a  lord- 
ly, supercilious  temper  and  conduct. 


303 


As  you  will  have  power  to  ordain  others,  keep  your  eye  on 
the  Scriptural  qualifications —  "  not  a  Novice,  lest  he  be  lifted 
up  with  Pride." 

Remember  there  are  no  extraordinary  officers  in  Christ's  king- 
dom, as  Prophets,  Apostles,  Evangelists,  but  ordinary,  such  as 
Pastors  and  Teachers,  such  as  are  stationary  to  feed  the  flock. 
You  will  bear  a  faithful  testimony  against  all  such  conduct  as 
has  a  tendency  to  subvert  the  order  of  the  Gospel,  and  intro- 
duce confusion  in  Towns  and  Churches. 

Bless  the  Congregation  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  —  and  re- 
member,  Sir,  and  bear  it  upon  your  mind,  that  those  graces, 
which  adorn  christians,  and  which  you  inculcate  upon  others, 
should  shine  with  distinguished  lustre  in  your  own  Character. 

Be  thou  therefore  an  example  to  others  in  faith,  in  charily, 
in  word  and  conversation  —  you  are  to  be  sober,  just,  holy, 
temperate,  holding  forth  the  faithful  word,  that  you  may  be  able 
to  convince  gainsayers  —  in  fine,  study  to  shew  yourself  approv- 
ed of  God,  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed  —  you 
must  be  sensible  of  your  insufficiency  for  this  great  work.  You 
will  therefore  give  yourself  to  meditation  and  prayer,  you  will  look 
up  to  the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  that  his  grace  may  be  suf- 
ficient for  you.  You  will  need  Grace  and  strength  from  Christ, 
to  make  you  faithfully  to  discharge  your  duty  as  a  minister  and 
as  a  christian. 

Xo  doubt  you  will  meet  with  discouragements  and  opposition 
if  you  are  faithful,  but  a  steady  adherence  to  the  Cause  of  God, 
will  save  you  from  shipwreck. 

When  you  consider  that  this  People  have  put  themselves  un- 
der your  pastoral  care  —  and  that  you  must  give  an  account  of 
your  Stewardship  —  you  will  travail  in  birth  for  them,  you  will 
warn  the  wicked,  and  comfort  the  feeble  minded,  and  consider  as 
an  incitement  to  duty,  the  inspection  of  him,  whose  eyes  are  as 
a  flame  of  fire,  as  well  as  the  eyes  of  men. 


304  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

And  upon  the  whole,  if  you  arc  found  faithful  in  the  discharge 
of  all  duties  as  a  christian  and  minister,  great  will  be  your  re- 
ward in  heaven  —  and  Jesus  the  Judge  of  all,  will  pronounce 
this  blessed  sentence,  "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant, 
enter  into  the  joy  of  your  Lord."  —  Amen. 

I  shall  now  address  the  Church,  brethren  in  our  common  Lord. 

Our  ready  compliance  with  your  call,  and  attention  to  the  bu- 
siness to  which  we  have  been  invited  are  demonstrations  of  our 
love  and  respect.  This  Church,  antient  and  renowned,  has 
been  respectable  ever  since  its  first  establishment,  has  weathered 
many  a  storm.  When  innovations  crept  into  many  of  our  churches 
and  errors  in  doctrine,  and  disorder  in  practice  prevailed,  this 
Church,  like  Judah  of  old  was  faithful  with  the  saints.  Being 
built  upon  the  Rock  of  Ages,  though  surrounded  with  enemies, 
it  stands,  having  experienced  the  fulfilment  of  the  Redeemer's 
promise,  "  the  gates  of  hell  shall  uot  prevail."  'Tis  Christ  that 
walks  in  the  midst  of  the  golden  candlesticks.  Our  charge  to 
you  is,  support  your  Character,  as  descendants  from  such  vener- 
able ancestors.  Through  the  tender  care  of  Christ,  you  have  a 
minister  settled  over  you,  whereby  you  will  enjoy  a  regular  ad- 
ministration of  divine  ordinances  —  receive  him,  as  an  ascension 
gift  of  our  blessed  Lord,  love  his  person,  treat  his  character  with 
tenderness,  pray  for  him,  conscientiously  attend  his  ministrations, 
and  be  at  peace  among  yourselves. 

I  conclude  with  the  words  of  the  Apostle ;  Finally,  brethren, 
farewell;  be  perfect,  be  of  good  comfort,  be  of  one  mind,  live 
in  peace,  and  the  God  of  love  and  peace  be  with  you.  —  Amir. 


CONCLUDING  REMARKS.  305 


CHAPTER  XI. 


CONCLUDING    REMARKS. 


The  plan  proposed  in  the  beginning  of  this  work  has 
been  very  imperfectly  accomplished.  Many  a  time  during 
the  months  of  its  execution,  has  its  humble  compiler  been 
ready  to  say  with  Solomon,  not  only  that  "  of  making  many 
books,"  but,  of  making  a  single  book,  "there  is  no  end." 
To  one  who  has  had  any  experience  in  statistical  service, 
it  need  not  be  remarked  that  of  all  labor  for  the  press, 
it  requires  the  most  research,  and  the  greatest  care.  And 
with  all  our  pains-taking,  our  short-comings  and  extreme 
fallibility  must  be  confessed.  Had  the  toil,  the  extended 
correspondence,  and  the  necessary  expense  of  such  an 
undertaking  been  foreseen,  probably  the  indulgence  of  the 
community  never  would  have  been  invoked  at  the  conclu- 
sion of  such  a  history,  and  this  tribute  of  esteem  and  af- 
fection, such  as  it  is,  never  would  have  been  paid  to  the 
memory  of  the  founders  and  fathers  of  our  town.  With 
all  its  labor,  however,  and  unappreciated  toil,  there  has 
been  no  little  pleasure  in  passing  these  few  last  months 
among  the  men  of  former  generations  and  in  the  ages  that 
have  gone  by.  A  sad  pleasure  indeed  sometimes,  like 
that  of  walking  alone  in  the  unfrequented  grave  yard,  and 
looking  over  the  indistinct  record  of  the  death  and  burial 
26* 


306  THE  MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 

of  long  departed  friends,  but  nevertheless  a  pleasure  to 
those  who  would  not  forget  whence  they  sprung,  who 
would  know,  not  only  who,  but  what  kind  of  men  their 
fathers  were. 

"We  have  reviewed  a  period  of  more  than  two  hundred 
years.  ^Ye  have  rescued  from  oblivion  facts  in  the  early 
history  of  this  ancient  town,  which,  if  little  valued  now, 
may  possibly  be  of  some  use,  when  two  more  centuries 
shall  have  passed  away.  Besides  incidental  notices  of 
other  professions*  and  of  other  men,  historical  memoirs, 
either  more  or  less  extended  have  been  given  of  thirty- 
four  ministers,!  prior  to  the  present  century,  and  of  as 
many  more  since  that  time,  who,  for  the  most  part,  have 
done  the  church  and  the  world  important  service  in  their 
day  and  generation,  but  whose  ministry  on  earth  has  al- 
ready expired,  or  is  soon  to  cease  forever. 

These  all  have  been  successors  in  the  ministry  to  two 
men,  Hooke  and  Street,  the  associated  Pastors  of  the 
small  church  in  the  wilderness  of  Taunton  in  163T.  That 
wilderness  spot  is  now  covered  with  a  population,  (accord- 
ing to  the  United  States  Census  of  1850,)  of  twenty 
thousand,  six  hundred  and  fourteen ;  of  which 

*  Note  A. 

t  Their  names  are  as  follows :  "William  Hooke.  Nicholas  Street, 
George  Shove,  Samuel  Danforth.  Thomas  Clap.  Josiah  Crocker,  Caleb 
Banium.  Elias  Jones.  Ephraim  Judson.  John  Foster.  John  Lyon,  Wil- 
liam W.  Wheeler.  Aaron  Wheeler.  Sylvester  Round,  William  Nelson, 
Samuel  Nelson.  Ebenezer  Nelson,  Joseph  Avery,  Joseph  Palmer,  Pitt 
Clarke.  Nathaniel  Eisher.  John  Smith.  Elder  Go'rT.  Matthew  Short.  Jo- 
seph Belcher,  Solomon  Prentice,  Archibald  Campbell.  William  Reed, 
John  Wales.  Peres  Fobcs.  Samuel  Tobcy.  Thomas  Andros.  Ebenezer 
White,  Roland  Green,  all  of  whom  were  preachers  within  the  limits  of 
the  original  Taunton  previous  to  the  present  century. 


are  included 

in  Taunton  proper, 

u           u 

tt  Norton, 

a           a 

u  Dighton, 

a           a 

"  Easton, 

a           a 

"  Raynham, 

a           a 

"  Berkley, 

U           u 

u  Mansfield, 

CONCLUDING   REMARKS.  307 


10,431 
1,967 
1,641 
2,337 


1,541 
908 

1,789 


20,614 

Not  only  these,  but  every  other  town  in  the  county  of 
Bristol  have  sprung  into  being  since  William  Hooke 
preached  his  famous  Fast  Day  Sermon  on  the  bank  of  the 
Tetiquet,  in  the  "Tetiquet  Purchase,"  in  1640,  in  the 
hearing  of  Richard  Williams,  Elisabeth  Pool,  William 
Pool,  and  a  score  or  two  beside  them,  of  kindred  spirits.* 
The  descendants  of  those  who  listened  to  that  sermon, 
and  asked  for  its  publication ;  the  descendants  of  those 
who  from  a  circuit  of  many  miles,  even  to  the  extreme 
limit  of  the  " North"  and  " South  Purchase,"  came  to 
"Taunton  Green"  to  hear  not  only  Hooke  and  Street, 
but  Shove  and  Danforth  preach,  those  of  them  yet  re- 
maining within  the  limits  of  the  ancient  town,  are  distrib- 
uted, as  we  have  seen,  through  thirty-nine  churches  and 
congregations  of  professed  worshipers  and  answering  to 
the  call  of  the  "church  going  bell,"  listen  every  Lord's 
Day  to  the  instructions  of  as  many  professed  ministers  of 
God's  word.  With  what  more  appropriate  prayer,  could 
one  who  has  been  occupied  so  long  in  the  preparation  of 
the  preceding  sheets  for  the  press,  conclude  his  work, 
than  that  which  the  devout  Psalmist  hath  taught  us  to 
offer: 

*  Note  B. 


308  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

"  Turn  us  again,  0  God  of  Hosts,  and  cause  Thy  face 
to  shine ;  and  we  shall  be  saved.  Thou  hast  brought  a 
vine  out  of  Egypt :  Thou  hast  cast  out  the  heathen  and 
planted  it.  Thou  preparedst  room  before  it,  and  didst 
cause  it  to  take  deep  root,  and  it  filled  the  land.  The 
hills  were  covered  with  the  shadow  of  it,  and  the  boughs 
thereof  were  like  the  goodly  cedars.  She  sent  out  her 
boughs  unto  the  sea,  and  her  branches  unto  the  river. 
Return,  we  beseech  Thee,  0  God  of  Hosts ;  Look  down 
from  Heaven,  and  behold,  and  visit  this  vine,  and  the 
vineyard,  which  Thy  right  hand  hath  planted,  and  the 
branch  that  Thou  madest  strong  for  Thyself.  Let  Thy 
hand  be  upon  the  man  of  Thy  right  hand,  upon  the  Son 
of  Man,  whom  Thou  madest  strong  for  Thyself.  So  will 
not  we  go  back  from  Thee :  quicken  us,  and  we  will  call 
upon  Thy  name.  Turn  us  again,  0  Lord  God  of  Hosts, 
cause  Thy  face  to  shine,  and  we  shall  be  saved." 


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APPENDIX  TO  CHAPTER  ELEVENTH. 


Note  A.     Page  306. 

A  eelatite  of  Judge  Paine  furnished  me  with  the  following 
sketch  of  his  ancestor,  after  iny  own  brief  notice  had  been  sent 
to  the  press : 

"Robert  Treat  Paine  was  born  in  Boston,  March  12,  1731. 
His  father,  Rev.  Thomas  Paine,  was  born  in  Barnstable,  grad- 
uated at  Harvard  College,  1717,  and  ordained  at  Weymouth, 
but  in  consequence  of  ill  health  removed  to  Boston  in  1730, 
and  afterwards  resigning  the  ministry  engaged  in  mercantile 
business. 

His  mother  was  daughter  of  Rev.  Samuel  Treat  of  Eastham, 
son  of  Governor  Robert  Treat  of  Connecticut,  and  was  a  grand- 
daughter of  Rev.  Samuel  Willard,  Vice  President  of  Harvard 
College. 

Mr.  Paine  studied  at  the  Public  Latin  School,  and  graduated 
at  Harvard  College  in  1749 :  he  had  hitherto  enjoyed  the  ad- 
vantages which  wealth  could  afford  to  an  only  son,  but  his  fath- 
er suffering  a  loss  of  property  just  as  he  graduated,  he  thereaf- 
ter became  dependent  on  his  own  exertions. 

After  keeping  a  school  for  a  year,  he  made  three  voyages  to 
North  Carolina,  acting  as  Master,  and  in  the  last  going  to  Fayal 
and  Cadiz,  and  then  went  as  Master  to  the  coasts  of  Greenland 
on  a  whaling  voyage. 

On  his  return  he  went  in  1755  to  Lancaster  and  commenced 
reading  law  with  his  relative,  Judge  Willard ;  and  while  pur- 
suing his  studies,  preached  at  Shirley.     Mr.  Willard  being  ap- 


310  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

pointed  Colonel  of  a  regiment  raised  for  the  great  expedition  of 
tliat  year  to  Crown  Point,  he  was  appointed  chaplain  of  the 
regiment,  was  at  the  camp  at  Lake  George  about  three  months 
till  it  broke  up,  and  while  there  and  at  Albany  was  in  company 
with  many  high  civil  and  military  officers.  His  sermons  at 
Shirley  and  at  the  camp,  and  maps  and  plans  of  the  camp  and 
country  sketched  by  him  are  still  preserved. 

He  finished  his  preparatory  reading  of  law  in  Mr.  Pratt's 
office  in  Boston,  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1757,  and  com- 
menced practice  in  Boston,  but  in  1761  removed  to  Taunton. 

He  now  constantly  attended  the  Superior  and  Inferior  Courts 
at  Boston,  Taunton,  Plymouth  and  Barnstable,  and  frequently 
at  Worcester  and  other  places.  His  great  powers  of  mind, 
profound  knowledge  of  law,  and  habits  of  thorough  investiga- 
tion early  brought  him  a  large  practice,  which  increased  till  it 
was  probably  not  exceeded  by  that  of  any  lawyer  in  the  State. 
Many  of  the  most  eminent  gentlemen  and  merchants  of  Boston, 
though  lie  did  not  reside  there,  were  his  clients.  Bradford  in 
his  history  of  Massachusetts  says  that  as  a  lawyer  he  was  con- 
sidered among  the  most  eminent  in  the  Province.  He  was  an 
early  and  zealous  supporter  of  the  popular  interest  and  in  in- 
tercourse and  counsel  with  the  influential  men  of  the  party — 
with  James  Otis  in  particular  he  was  on  terms  of  personal  and 
political  friendship ;  but  his  professional  business  was  too  exten- 
sive and  important  to  him  to  permit  him  in  the  earlier  part  of 
the  contest  to  devote  himself  exclusively  to  politics. 

In  1768,  when  a  Convention  from  all  the  State  was  called  at 
Boston  on  account  of  the  troops  being  ordered  here,  his  presence 
was  desired,  and  he  attended  as  a  delegate  from  Taunton :  his 
devotion  to  the  cause  and  high  character  for  inflexible  principle 
and  practical  wisdom,  as  well  as  his  eminence  at  the  Bar  served 
to  inspire  confidence  and  give  him  a  wide  influence. 

In  1770  he  was  married  to  Sally,  daughter  of  Thomas  Cobb, 
Esq.,  and  sister  of  General  David  Cobb. 

After  the  Boston  Massacre  March  5,  1770,  he  was  immedi- 
ately, on  the  9th  of  the  same  month,  retained  by  the  Town  of 


ROBERT  TREAT  PAINE.  311 

Boston  to  conduct  the  prosecution  of  Captain  Preston  and  the 
British  soldiers,  and  at  the  trials  in  the  ensuing  autumn  he  ac- 
cordingly took  the  place  of  the  Attorney  General. 

In  1773  the  time  had  come  when  all  other  interests  must 
yield  to  the  public  cause,  and  he  now  devoted  himself  to  it.  He 
was  Chairman  of  a  large  Committee  of  the  town  of  Taunton  on 
the  tyrannical  measures  of  the  Government,  and  drafted  the 
high  toned  resolutions  that  were  passed.  He  was  a  representa- 
tive from  Taunton  and  was  one  of  the  Committee  which  prepar- 
ed the  letter  to  Lord  Dartmouth,  one  of  the  leading  members 
on  the  Report  on  the  Hutchinson  Letters  and  Address  for  the 
Governor's  removal,  and  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the 
Impeachment  of  Chief  Justice  Oliver — many,  if  not  all,  the 
addresses  and  reports  on  both  these  great  measures  were  at  least 
mainly  prepared  by  him.  During  the  winter  session  a  riot  oc- 
curred at  Marblehead  which  caused  much  uneasiness  to  the 
friends  of  liberty,  and  he  was  one  of  the  Committee  sent  there 
to  inquire  into  it. 

In  1774,  as  soon  as  the  General  Court  met  at  Salem  in  June, 
the  alarming  state  of  the  Province  was  discussed  in  a  secret 
conclave  of  the  members  of  the  popular  party  and  it  was  decid- 
ed to  recommend  a  Continental  Congress.  A  serious  obstacle 
to  the  adoption  of  this  measure  presented  itself :  it  belonged  to 
the  Committee  on  the  state  of  the  Province  to  report  it  to  the 
House,  and  Mr.  Leonard  of  Taunton,  a  friend  of  Government, 
was  on  that  Committee,  and  the  moment  such  a  measure  was 
proposed,  would  make  it  known  to  the  Governor,  who  would  at 
once  dissolve  the  General  Court.  To  remove  the  obstacle  Mr. 
Paine  proposed  to  Mr.  Leonard  to  go  home  and  attend  to  their 
law  business  at  the  court  at  Taunton,  and  return  in  a  few  days. 
Mr.  Leonard  assented  and  they  both  left.  The  Committee  re- 
ported, the  recommendation  of  a  Continental  Congress  was 
voted,  and  the  Delegates  chosen. 

As  had  been  foreseen,  the  General  Court  was  instantly  dis- 
solved; but  the  work  had  been  accomplished.  The  Governor's 
messenger  arrived  before  the  business  was  quite  completed,  and 


312  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

the  assembly  caused  their  door  to  be  fastened  and  allowed  him 
to  knock  awhile,  until  they  had  finished. 

"The  Delegation  to  the  first  Congress  in  1774,"  says  the 
biographer  of  Mr.  Gerry,  ' '  combined  men  highest  in  the  es- 
teem and  confidence  of  their  fellow-citizens.  Massachusetts 
sent  to  that  assembly  Thomas  Cushing,  Samuel  Adams,  Robert 
Treat  Paine,  James  Bowdoin  and  John  Adams,  men  whose 
weight  of  talent  and  character  was  suited  to  the  arduous  and 
responsible  duties  they  were  destined  to  perform.  In  1775,  Mr. 
Bowdoin  declined  a  reelection  and  John  Hancock  was  appoint- 
ed in  his  place.  Mr.  Cushing  retired  at  the  end  of  the  same 
year,  and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Gerry." 

Mr.  Paine  was  the  only  one  of  the  Delegates  now  chosen  who 
did  not  belong  to  Boston.  The  Delegates,  (except  Mr.  Bow- 
doin, who  never  went,)  left  Boston  on  the  10th  August,  under 
a  large  escort,  and  at  the  principal  places  on  their  route  were 
received  with  escorts  and  other  great  attentions. 

Congress  was  in  session  during  September  and  October,  and 
Mr.  Paine,  on  his  return  to  Taunton  in  November,  was  received 
with  great  rejoicings  by  the  Sons  of  Liberty. 

In  1775,  in  the  winter  and  spring,  he  attended  the  2d  Pro- 
vincial Congress  at  Cambridge,  and  was  one  of  the  Committee 
on  the  state  of  the  Province.  In  April  he  left  for  the  Congress 
at  Philadelphia,  which  met  in  May. 

The  war  was  now  begun  and  Congress  were  to  carry  it  on  ; 
an  army  was  already  in  the  field  and  money  was  readily  obtain- 
ed by  the  issue  of  bills;  but  the  great  want  was  of  equipments 
for  the  army,  powder,  cannon  and  fire-arms;  and  to  provide 
these  supplies  Committees  of  Congress  were  appointed,  at  the 
head  of  which  as  Chairman,  Mr.  Paine  was  placed  :  and  to  the 
performance  of  this  work  he  now  for  a  year  and  eight  months 
devoted  himself  with  unremitted  zeal  and  energy.  Of  powder 
there  was  little  in  the  country  and  still  less  of  the  materials  for 
its  manufacture,  sulphur  and  saltpetre.  How  to  obtain  saltpetre 
was  a  serious  question.  After  much  labor  and  study,  and  con- 
sulting chemists  and  chemical  and  other  scientific  works,  Mr. 


ROBERT  TREAT  PAINE.  313 

Paine  planned  practical  modes  and  processes  by  which  it  could 
be  obtained,  and  explained  them  in  a  printed  essay,  which  was 
distributed  to  all  parts  of  the  country ;  almost  infinite  labor  was 
then  required,  by  circulars  to  the  assemblies,  letters  to  influen- 
tial persons  and  personal  applications;  to  procure  its  production 
in  sufficient  quantities.  Great  exertions  were  also  required  to 
obtain  supplies  of  sulphur ;  and  when  the  materials  were  obtain- 
ed, to  set  establishments  and  mills  in  operation  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  the  powder.  Of  cannon  and  fire-arms,  the  shape,  cali- 
bre and  dimensions  were  to  be  settled,  models  and  drawings 
made,  and  foundries  and  factories  set  in  operation.  Large  con- 
tracts were  made  and  constant  supervision  exercised  to  ensure 
their  faithful  and  prompt  execution.  A  number  of  factories 
and  mills  were  also  established  and  conducted  for  the  Continen- 
tal account.  These  efforts  were  attended  with  great  success, 
and  to  them  the  army  was  largely  indebted  for  its  supply  of 
those  articles  during  the  early  part  of  the  war. 

Mr.  Paine  labored  on  these  committees  with  untiring  assidui- 
ty to  the  end  of  the  year  1776,  when  he  returned  home.  Dur- 
ing this  period  he  was  constant  in  attendance  in  Congress,  tak- 
ing part  in  the  debates ;  he  also  acted  on  many  other  important 
committees. 

In  November,  1775,  he  was  appointed  with  R.  R.  Livingston 
and  Gov.  Langdon,  a  Committee  to  visit  the  army  on  the  North- 
ern frontier,  with  extensive  powers  as  to  the  increase,  plans  and 
destination  of  it  —  a  commission  of  great  importance  and  deli- 
cacy, from  which  they  returned  at  the  end  of  December.  He 
was  one  of  a  committee  to  prepare  rules  of  debate ;  to  inquire 
into  the  causes  of  the  miscarriages  in  Canada ;  to  devise  ways 
and  means  for  putting  the  militia  in  a  state  for  the  defence  of 
America ;  to  establish  a  Hospital ;  to  consider  what  provision 
ought  to  be  made  for  those  disabled  in  the  public  service ;  to 
purchase  clothing  for  the  army ;  to  report  a  method  for  estab- 
lishing and  training  cavalry  ;  in  relation  to  prizes ;  on  admiralty 
appeals;  and  on  many  other  matters. 

On  the  4th  July,  1776,  he  was  present  in  Congress  and 
27 


314  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

signed  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  Mr.  Paine  arrived 
home  at  Taunton,  December  SO,  1776,  in  the  enjoyment  of  a 
high  reputation  throughout  the  country  for  the  services  he  had 
rendered — his  biographer  states  that  his  reputation  for  talents 
and  zeal  and  activity  in  the  cause  now  stood  as  high  as  that  of 
any  man  in  the  State. 

He  was  elected  to  Congress  for  1777  and  1778,  but  did  not 
again  attend  ;  the  capture  of  Philadelphia,  near  which  many  of 
the  foundries  and  powder  mills  were  situated,  and  the  arrival  in 
the  Spring  of  large  supplies  from  France  rendered  his  presence 
there  probably  less  necessary. 

In  1777,  he  took  a  seat  in  the  Legislature  by  a  vote  of  both 
Houses.  In  May  he  was  elected  a  representative  from  Taun- 
ton, was  part  of  the  time  Speaker,  was  a  delegate  to  a  Conven- 
tion of  the  five  Eastern  States  at  Springfield,  and  in  August 
was  unanimously  elected  Attorney  General. 

In  1778,  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Convention  at  Hartford 
for  the  regulation  of  prices,  and  drafted  the  address;  the  chair- 
man of  a  Commission  appointed  by  Congress  to  investigate  the 
causes  of  the  failure  of  the  Rhode  Island  expedition;  one  of 
the  Committee  of  the  Legislature  for  preparing  a  Constitution 
for  the  State,  and  is  reported  to  have  been  the  chief  author  of 
the  draft  —  this  was  one  of  the  first  models  of  an  instrument 
since  become  so  familiar — it  gave  rise  to  able  discussions,  and 
many  alterations  and  improvements  being  suggested,  was  not 
adopted;  but  in  the  Convention  of  1779,  in  which  Mr.  Paine 
was  again  on  the  Committee  for  preparing  the  draft,  it  served 
as  the  outline  from  which  the  Constitution  of  1780  was  formed. 

He  was  one  of  the  Council  in  1779  and  1780,  and  under 
the  new  Constitution  was  again  appointed  Attorney  General 
and  was  one  of  the  Committee  for  revising  the  laws. 

The  duties  of  his  office  rendered  it  inconvenient  for  him  to 
reside  out  of  Boston,  and  in  1781  — after  a  residence  in  Taun- 
ton of  twenty  years  —  he  purchased  and  removed  to  the  largo 
house  and  estate,  formerly  the  residence  of  Gov.  Shirley,  at  the 
corner  of  Milk  and  Federal  streets  in  Boston. 


ROBERT  TREAT  PAINE.  315 

The  office  of  Attorney  General  lie  held  from  1777  to  1790, 
a  period  of  anxiety,  distress,  crime  and  rebellion.  The  advis- 
ing a  new  government  in  all  important  measures,  the  confisca- 
tion of  the  estates  of  Tories,  and  the  trials  of  the  Insurgents 
during  Shay's  Insurrection,  were  labors  added  by  the  times  to 
the  arduous  duties  of  that  office.  After  the  war  was  over,  there 
followed  a  period  of  such  exhaustion  and  lassitude  that  the  foun- 
dations of  society  and  morals  seemed  on  the  verge  of  being 
broken  up ;  the  high  moral  tone  of  the  Revolution  yielded  un- 
der the  pressure  of  debt,  taxation,  bankruptcy  and  distress ;  a 
hatred  of  Government  and  laws  threatened  to  become  prevalent, 
and  the  shades  of  impending  demoralization,  anarchy  and 
license  cast  gloom  and  anxiety  over  society.  Government  was 
to  be  maintained  and  the  laws  enforced.  The  Attorney  Gen- 
eral was  not  a  man  to  falter  in  a  time  of  difficulty  or  danger, 
and  the  duties  of  his  office  were  performed  with  singular  fidelity 
and  great  legal  ability. 

The  popularity  of  John  Hancock,  the  Governor,  was  lessen- 
ed during  this  awful  crisis  and  it  may  well  be  supposed  that  the 
Attorney  General  reaped  a  full  share  of  the  ill-will  of  the  dis- 
affected portions  of  the  community. 

In  1790  the  office  of  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  which  he 
bad  declined  in  1775,  '80,  '82  and  '84,  was  again  offered  him, 
and  in  view  of  his  advanced  age  he  now  accepted  it.  He  re- 
signed in  1804,  and  was  chosen  to  the  Council,  but  declined  a 
reelection ;  and  enjoying  his  mental  faculties  in  full  vigor,  and 
retaining  his  interest  in  his  friends  and  country  to  the  close  of 
his  life,  he  died  May  12,  1814,  aged  eighty-three  year3. 

Mr.  Paine  possessed  great  intellectual  powers  and  mental  ac- 
tivity, an  earnest  love  of  knowledge,  and  great  firmness,  decis- 
ion and  energy  of  character;  his  memory  was  retentive  and 
ready,  his  extensive  knowledge  on  all  subjects  well  digested, 
and  his  wisdom  practical  and  operative.  As  a  sound  lawyer, 
and  in  thorough  knowledge  of  the  common  law,  he  had  no  su- 
perior. He  had  great  taste  for  literature  and  science,  and  for 
many  of  the  mechanic  arts,  and  agricultural  pursuits  were  his 
delight  even  in  his  busiest  moments. 


316  THE   MINISTRY   OP   TAUNTON. 

Religious  faith  and  trust  in  Providence  were  abiding;  and  con- 
trolling  elements  in  his  character.  In  the  cause  of  general  ed- 
ucation he  always  took  a  deep  interest  and  constantly  urged  its 
importance.  He  was  an  unfiling  attendant  on  public  worship. 
His  habits  were  domestic,  regular  and  temperate.  He  was  tall 
in  stature,  and  a  voice,  whose  tones  were  a  deep  bass,  a  serious 
if  not  stern  expression  of  countenance,  and  a  severity  as  well 
as  frankness  of  manner  gave  him  the  appearance  of  greater 
sternness  than  he  possessed.  He  had  kind  feelings,  warm  sym- 
pathies, and  a  social  disposition,  and  his  attachments  were  strong 
and  lasting.  Possessing  great  powers  of  conversation,  wit  and 
humor,  and  full  of  anecdote,  he  delighted  in  social  intercourse, 
and  his  family  circle  was  the  scene  of  unrestrained  freedom  and 
enjoyment.  His  hospitality  was  generous,  and  his  house  was 
the  constant  resort  of  his  numerous  acquaintance.  Sterling 
integrity,  inflexible  principle,  an  uncompromising  sense  of  jus- 
tice were  the  distinguishing  traits  of  his  Spartan  character.' ' 

Note  B.     Page  307. 

I  fortunately  found  at  the  eleventh  hour,  several  most  val- 
uable original  letters  from  early  settlers  of  Taunton,  among  the 
Hinckley  and  Mather  Papers,  in  the  MS.  Collections  of  the 
Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  which,  according  to  the  By- 
laws of  that  Society  I  am  not  permitted  to  publish  entire,  but 
from  which,  by  special  vote,  I  have  been  allowed  to  make  liber- 
al extracts.  The  letters  are  given  in  the  order  of  time,  in  which 
they  were  written. 

Numbeb  1.     (Mather  Papers,  Vol.  1,  Number  3-4.) 
Letter  from  Nicholas  Street,  k*  to  Jiis  honored,  and  assur- 
ed good  friend,  Mr.  Samuel  JBaehe,  at  his  house  in 
Boston.7' 

Dear  Sir  :  — I  wss  fully  purposed,  if  God  had  not  hindered, 
to  have  gone  into  the  Bay,  now  with  Mr.  Rutherford.  But  it 
pleased  God  to  visit  Rev.  Mr.  Dav.  (enport)  with  some  ilnesby 
meanes  of  a  great  cold,  as  I  think,  (some  think  it  was  an  ague) 


LECXSB  OF  NICHOLAS  STREET.         317 

which  put  a  stop  at  present  to  my  intended  voyage ;  hut  he  is 
recovering  thro'  God's  goodness,  and  in  a  hopeful  way  to  come 
forth  the  next  Sabbath,  which,  if  he  doth,  I  intend,  God  wil- 
ling, to  take  ye  first  opportunity.  I  remember  some  advice  I 
received  from  you,  against  communicating  my  thoughts  in  writ- 
ing about  the  Synodalia  to  such  as  I  intended ;  whereupon  I 
did  lay  that  business  aside  for  a  time.  But  it  was  with  me 
something  like  to  that  in  Jeremia  ch.  20  :  9.  I  had  never  a 
stronger  bent  in  my  spirit  to  any  undertaking,  and  had  a  great 
conflict  upon  some  account,  too  large  to  write,  which  did  drive 
me  to  God  to  seek  direction,  guidance  and  help  of  Him,  with- 
out which  I  can  do  nothing,  being  nothing  in  or  of  myself,  and 
He  hath  graciously  answered  me.  I  know,  I  am  sure,  that  He 
hath  been  with  me  in  this  work,  and  hath  given  me  to  see  here 
a  little,  and  there  a  little,  which  I  did  not  so  clearly  see  before. 
If  I  could  call  any  thing  that  came  from  me  the  child  of  my 
prayers  and  tears,  I  can  this.*  Something  of  God  there  is  in  it, 
tho'  mixed  with  many  weaknesses  of  mine.  I  hope  it  may  do 
good  to  some,  tho'  it  is  very  like  it  would  be  unpleasing  to  oth- 
ers, if  it  should  come  to  their  view.  I  have  had  thought  to  im- 
part it  in  the  first  place  to  Mr.  Mather,  Sen. ,  out  of  my  rever- 
end esteem  of  him  and  singular  affection  to  him  for  the  Grace 
of  God  in  him,  but  not  concerning  myself,  I  have  sent  what  I 
have  done  unto  yourself.  *  *  * 

If  you  judge,  that  it  is  likely  to  attain  any  good  end  by  com- 
municating it  to  him  (Mr.  Mather,  Sen.,)  to  peruse  for  a  short 
time,  I  shall  leave  it  to  your  discretion.  *  * 

Myself  and  wife  salute  you  in  the  Lord.  I  do  desire  to  have 
our  due  respects  with  unfeigned  hearty  affection  presented  to 
good  Mrs.  Bache,  as  also  to  your  sister.  Committing  you  to 
God  and  His  Grace,  I  rest  yours  in  Christ, 

Nicholas  Street. 

N.  H.  15  of  the  3d  (16)66. 

*  This  probably  is  the  t;lost  production"  referred  to  on  page  169, 
vol.  1,  which  Mr.  Mather.  Sen.,  on  examining,  prefaced  with  remarks  of 
his  own,  and  published.    Wc  may  well  regret  its  loss. 

27* 


318  TIIE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

My  due  respects  to  Mr.  Mather,  Jun.,  and  to  bis  honored 
father,  if  you  speak  with  him.  I  suppose  I  need  not  desire  your 
prayers  for  us,  as  being  persuaded  that  you  are  mindful  of  us 
that  way,  as  we  also  are  of  you,  not  only  in  ye  family  prayers, 
but  sundry  times  this  winter,  in  days  of  humiliation  at  our 
meetings. 

No.  2.  (Hinckley  Papers,  Vol.  2,  No.  3.) 
Letter  of  Richard  Williams  and  three  others,  "  to  the 
Worshipfull  Thomas  Hinckley,  Esq.,  to  be  communi- 
cated to  others,  our  worthy  and  loving  friends,  concern' 
ed  in  the  contents,  in  the  Townships  of  Barnstable, 
Sandwich,  $c.     Present  with  care." 

Taunton,  Ap.  15,  (16)76. 
Honored  and  Beloved  :  —  We  have  received  your  affection- 
ate letter,  full  of  Love  and  undeserved  bountie  toward  us  your 
unworthy  Brethren  and  neighbours,  and  do  bless  God  that  He 
hath  given  us  soe  much  room  in  your  hearts,  that  you  soe  freely 
tender  us,  a  part  with  you  in  your  houses,  fields,  and  provisions, 
at  such  a  time  when  the  Lord  is  threat 'ning  us  with  bereave- 
ment of  our  own.  It  much  comforteth  us  in  this  day  of  dark- 
ness and  distresse,  we  assuring  ourselves  thereby,  that  if  our 
distresses  continue,  and  increase,  we  shall  want  noe  succour  you 
are  able  to  afford  us.  We  therefore  return  you  all  serious  thanks 
for  your  syncere  and  abundant  Love,  beseeching  the  Lord  still 
to  continue  and  increase  your  peace  and  abilitie  and  readiness 
to  relieve  the  distresses  in  this  evil  daye.  Nevertheless  upon 
the  serious  and  mature  deliberation  upon  and  consideration  of 
your  soe  great  offer,  we  cannot  at  present  comply  with  a  motion 
to  remove  and  quitt  our  places,  and  leave  our  habitations  to  be 
a  desolation,  and  that  because  we  fear  we  should,  in  soe  doing, 
be  wanting  to  the  name  of  God,  and  the  interest  of  Christ  in 
this  place  and  bewraye  much  diffidence  and  cowardice,  and  give 
the  adversarye  occasion  of  tryumph  over  us,  to  ye  reproach  of 
that  great  and  fearfull  Name  of  our  God,  that  is  called  on  us. 
Our  sins  are  already  such  as  might  render  our  friends,  (did 


LETTER   OF   WILLIAM  HOOK.  319 

they  know  us)  airraid  to  entertain  us ;  and  what  can  we  expect 
of  the  issue  of  such  an  addition  thereunto.,  but  that  the  hands  of 
the  Lord  would  follow  us,  and  find  us  out  whithersoever  we  fled. 
Besides,  if  the  Lord  hath  any  pleasure  and  will  soe  farr  favour 
and  honour  us,  we  judge  we  may  here  be  more  serviceable  to  ye 
country  than  elsewhere,  and  hazzards  of  removals  (as  great  as 
of  abiding  where  we  are)  avoided ;  and  who  can  tell,  but  that 
ye  Lord  may  make  way  for  our  enjoyment  of  seed  time  and 
harvest  here,  by  prospering  our  forces  which  are  coming  forth, 
if  we  could  but  humble  ourselves  before  Him.  And  if  the  Lord 
have  no  delight  at  all  in  us,  but  will  for  our  sins  (which  were 
but  just)  make  His  dwelling  place  here  as  Shiloh,  we  are  in 
His  hands.  The  Lord  doe  with  us  as  seemeth  good  in  His 
sight.  Here  we  have  sinned,  and  here  we  submit  ourselves  to 
suffer,  except  the  Lord's  Providence,  and  order  or  advice  of 
Authorities  should  plainly  determine  us  to  removall ;  in  case 
whereof,  we  shall  esteem  it  an  undeserved  kindness,  to  find 

shelter  among  yourselves,  and  comply  with  your  motion.* 

*  #  # 

Your  obliged  Brethren,  and  friends  and  servants  in  ye  Lord, 
(in  the  name  of  the  Town,) 

Richard  Williams, 
Walter  Deane, 
George  Macy, 
William  Harvey. 

No.  3.     (Mather  Papers,  Vol.  1,  No.  72.) 
Letter  of  William  Hook  "to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Increase  Math- 
er, Preacher  of  ye    Gospel  at  Boston,  in  New-Eng- 
land" 

Rev'd  Sir:  —  I  received  your  letter  dated  (I  think)  in  May 
last,  in  which  you  acquaint  vs  with  ye  trouble  yt  ye  Eastern  In- 
dians do  create  you.  Thus  Grod  is  pleased  to  lengthen  out  your 
exercise  through  a  cruell,  perfidious,  and  blasphemous  genera- 

*  They  propose  sending  their  cattle  for  safety,  and  in  conclusion  ask 
an  interest  in  their  prayers. 


320  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

con  of  very  bruitish  men.  I  am  sorry  yt  you  write  no  more 
comfortably  concerning  Reformacon,  and  I  had  lately  a  letter 
from  Mr.  Bishop,  Pastor  of  Stanfford,  who  writes  concerning  i* 
much  as  you  have  done.  I  have  sent  you  included  herein  a 
catalogue  of  ye  ministers  yt  dyed,  most  of  them,  in  and  near 
London  within  ye  last  10  or  12  years.*  This,  I  think,  is  like 
to  be  my  last  letter  to  you.  My  stomach  fayles  me.  I  have  no 
appetite  to  any  food,  or  very  little,  at  any  time.  The  keepers 
of  ye  house  begin  to  tremble,  and  ye  strong  men  to  bow  them- 
selves, and  ye  grinders  cease  becauFe  they  are  few,  and  ye 
clouds  return  after  ye  rain.  Yet  God  is  pleased  to  enable  me 
to  preach  hitherto,  but  my  spirits  are  growing  weak,  and  my 
breath  is  very  short.  I  hope  thro'  ye  Grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  to  be  with  Him  ere  long. 

*  *  * 

I  must  conclude.  The  Father  of  Mercies  and  God  of  all 
consolation  be  with  you,  and  bless  your  studies  and  labours  in 
His  work.     In  Him  I  rest. 

The  7th  of  ye  6th        Yours  to  serve  you  to  ye  last, 

1677.  "William  HooK.f 

No.  4.  (Mather  Papers,  Yol.  1,  No.  73.) 
Letter  from  Jane  Hook  "for  Mr.  Increase  Mather,  Min- 
ister of  the  Gospel,  in  Boston,  New-England" 
Reverend  Sir  :  —  The  last  day]of  ye  5th  month  my  husband 
did  reseve  a  kind  letter  from  you.  Blessed  be  ye  Lord  yt  you 
are  so  wel,  but  I  was  sorry  to  hear  yt  New-England  had  made 
no  better  use  of  ye  Lord's  stroke  upon  them.  "We  are  much 
inquiring  after  ye  afares  of  our  brethren  in  N.  E.  and  very 
much  troubled  to  here  of  ye  great  destresses  yt  have  come  from 
ye  heathen,  slaying  and  murdering  so  many,  and  filing  so  many 
plantations,  as  your  book  sent  over  dos  mention.   (Many  thanks 

*  This  catalogue  includes  the  names  of  47  in  London,  and  40  in  the 
suburbs. 

t  It  will  be  observed  that  the  first  minister  of  Taunton  wrote  his  name 
without  the  final  e.  I  have  given  it  in  this  work,  as  it  was  found  in  con- 
nection with  the  sermons  printed  hi  London  in  1641,  and  1645. 


LETTERS  OF  JANE  HOOK.  321 

for  your  book  to  me.)  Sir,  your  sorrowos  is  ours,  and  your 
comfort  ours.  I  hope  your  brethren  and  friends  there  dos  sym- 
pathise with  you.  And  truly  I  am  sorry  when  I  think  of  it, 
yt  we  have  remembered  our  brethren  no  more.  But  this  I  am 
sure  of,  we  forget  you  not  in  our  prayers,  at  ye  Thrown  of  Grace. 

I  am  glad  that  ye  old  cloathes  were  of  any  use  to  ye  breth- 
ren with  you.     I  am  willing  to  do  a  little,  being  incouraged. — 

*  *  * 

I  beg  your  payers  yt  I  may  live  to  (honor)  ye  Lord. 

I  am  your  unworthy  sister, 
6th  mo.  8th  day,  Jane  Hook.* 

(16)77 

No.  5.     (Mather  Papers,  Yol  2,  No.  52.) 

Letter  of  Jane  Hook  "for  ye  Rev.  Preacher  of  ye  Gos- 

pel,  Mr.  Increase  Mather,  at  Boston  *  New-England. 

Rev 'd  Sir: — Hering  how  welcom  ye  old  cloathes  were  to 

those  poor  ministers  ye  last  yeer,  I  have  adventured,  to  send  a 

few  more. 

*  *  * 

Pray,  Sir,  be  pleased  to  accept  of  two  pare  of  gloves,  which 
you  will  reseve  yeself  (for)  those  poor  ministers  which  Mr. 
Noyse  and  Mrs.  Nowell  did  speak  of.  I  beg  yr  prayers,  and 
remain.  *  *  * 

Your  loving  friend, 
4m  27,  (16)78.  Jane  Hook. 

No.  6.     (Mather  Papers,  Vol.  3,  No.  7.) 
Letter  of  Jane  Hook  to  Rev.  Increase  Mather. 

Rev.  Sir  : 

*  *  * 

What  ye  Lord  has  moved  hearts,  I  have  sent.     Pray  let  Mr. 

*  It  is  supposed  that  "  Jane  Hook  "  was  the  wife  of  William  Hook, 
and  sister  of  Whalley,  the  Regicide.  Rev.  Joseph  B.  Felt,  in  answer  to 
a  letter  of  inquiry,  writes :  "  Her  deep  interest  in  New-England,  and  its 
ministers,  is  favorable  to  the  supposition,  that  she  was  the  wife  of  Wil- 
liam Hook." 


322  THE  MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

Newil  be  remembered  (in  the)  cloathcs :  and  (ye)  money,  I 
leave  it  to  your  wisdom  and  care.  Do  not  forget  my  Hon.  and 
precious  friend's  (who  is  now  with  their  Lord)  his  grandchild. 
The  Lord  has  bless'd  your  letter  sent  to  me,  and  honoured  Rev. 
Mr.  Davenport,  peace  of  his  letter.  *  * 

Dr  Sir,  you  did  pen  your  letter  so  well,  that  I  did  show  it  to 
many  precious^soules  —  My  kind  respects  to  your  dear  wife. 

Your  loving  friend, 

Jane  Hook. 
I  have  sent  two  pare  of  gloves  to  you  and  two  pare  for  my 
unknown  friend,  Mr.  John  Cotton. 
1  m.  5  day,  (16)79. 

No.  7.     (Mather  Papers,  Vol.  3,  No.  18.) 
Letter  of  Jane  .Rook  to  Rev.  Increase  Mather. 
Rev.  Sir: — I  thro'  the  Lord's  mercy  have  made  known 

your  letter  here. 

*  *  * 

Such  is  ye  extremity  of  0.  E.;  that  here  are  hearts  full  of 
compassion  and  tender  affection  but  strength  is  wanting.  Sir, 
a  few  cloathes  and  Qlbs  in  money  you  will  receive,  (all  from  a 
good  Grod) 

*  *  * 

2m.  7d,  '79.  Jane  Hook. 

No.  8.     (Hinckley  Papers,  Vol.  1,  No.  14.) 

Letter  of  Creorge  Shove  to  Governor  Hinckley. 

Worshipful  Sir  :  —  Since  my  return  from  Plimouth,  I  hear 
of  a  petition  or  motion  (for  I  know  not  wt  to  call  it,  my  infor- 
mation is  so  slender)  of  the  Quakers  to  the  authorities  of  this 
Collony,  that  they  may  be  (  )  for  voting  and  bearing 

office  in  Townships  where  they  dwell;  and  as  it  is  represented 
to  me,  their  Cause  is  so  farr  favoured  yt  it  is  counselled  on  their 
behalf,  because  they  will  not  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  that 
an  engagement  may  be  framed  on  purpose  for  them,  that  so  yr 
incapacity  maye  be  removed  for  their  enjoying  of  privileges  in 
common  with  other  subjects.     Had  I  heard  of  it  before  my 


LETTER  OF  GEORGE  SHOVE.  323 

coming  from  Plim.   I  should  havo  endeavored  a  right  under- 
standing of  the  matter * 

*  *  * 

11  June,  1679.  George  Suove. 

No.  9.     (Hinckley  Papers,  Vol.  1,  No.  20.) 
Letter  of  George  Shove  "  to  the  Right  Worshipfull  Gov- 
ernor and  Deputy  Governor  with  the  Worshipfull  As- 
sistants, assembled  at  Plimouth,  June  1,  1680. " 
Eight  honourable  axd  worshipfull  :  —  It  were  great  in- 
gratitude to  God  who  continueth  our  peace,  and  maketh  us  so 
happy  in  our  Kulers  in  this  wilderness,  unnecessarilye  to  aug- 
ment their  burden  and  trouble.     This  consideration  with  manyo 
more  upon  the  heart  of  your  petitioner,  hath  made  him  slowe  to 
complaine,  as  willing  rather  to  suffer  than  contend  for  his  Right, 
being  assured  that  God  knows  how  to  requite   Good  for  the 
wrong  so  suffered  from  men.     But  now,  (at  least   to  his  own 
apprehension)  he  has  concluded  under  a  necessitie  to  make  your 
authoritie  his  refuge.     Be  pleased  therefore  to  take  cognisance 
of  his  grievance,  presented  to  your  view  as  followeth.f 

In  this  your  petitioner  brienie  (yet  he  trusts  you  will  finde 
faithfully)  has  represented  his  case  before  you,  to  whose  sen- 
tence and  judgment  he  freely  subjects  it,  requesting  your  favor- 
able construction  of  this  his  address,  who  most  unwillinglie  and 
of  constraint,  occasions  you  such  trouble,  is  bound  incessantlie 
to  pray  for  you,  and  subscribeth  himself,  worthie  patriots,  your 
servant  in  every  thing  in  the  Lord, 

George  Shove. 

*  The  Ms.  is  very  difficult  to  decipher.  But  with  all  its  illegibility, 
none  the  less  welcome  as  disproving  what  was  supposed  to  be  true,  in 
preparing  the  notice  in  the  preceding  volume,  (pp.  171-176,)  that  "  not 
the  smallest  fragment  of  a  Ms.  remained." 

t  The  "grievance"'  complained  of,  was  the  omission  of  his  name  in 
the  Title  given  to  the  "North  Purchase."  It  would  seem  that  this  omis- 
sion was  the  result  of  some  misunderstanding  in  the  matter  of  payment. 
Most  of  the  proprietors  were  in  favor  of  entering  the  name,  but  a  few 
objected.  By  referring  to  vol.  1,  page  38,  it  will  be  found  his  name  was 
entered,  according  to  this  petition,  in  16S2. 


324  THE  MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

No.  10.     (Mather  Papers,  Vol.  4,  No.  17.) 

Letter  of  Jane  Hook  to  Rev.  Increase  Mather. 
I  received  two  letters  from  you  in  wh  you  give  a  full  account 

how  the  benefactors  money  was  laid  out. 

*  *  * 

Pray  let  not  Mrs.  Davenport  be  forgotten,  whose  husband's 
father  was  Pastor  of  New-Haven.  * 

5m.  2d,  (16)81.  Jane  Hook. 

P.  S.  I  hope  you  had  some  of  the  money  Dr.  Owen's 
church  sent  over. 

No.  11.     (Mather  Papers,  Vol.  4,  No.  8.) 

Letter  of  Jane  Hook  to  Rev.  Increase  Mather. 
I  was  very  glad  to  receive  yr  lines,  but  especially  that  the 

Lord  had  answered  prayer  for  your  life. 

*  *  * 

2m.  14d,  (16)82.  Jane  Hook. 

No.  12.     (Hinckley  Papers,  Vol.  1,  No.  28.) 

Letter  of  George  Shove  to  Governor  Hinckley. 

Taunton,  FeVr  23,(16)8^. 

Right  Worshipfull  Sir  :  —  It  hath  been  ray  ambition  now 
for  a  great  while  to  wait  upon  you  at  Barnstable ;  but  Provi- 
dence hitherto  hath  given  check  thereto,  and  I  am  not  able  to 
say  when  I  shall  be  favoured  with  an  opportunitie  to  perform 
my  respects  to  your  worship  in  such  a  way.  These  are  there- 
fore to  present  my  service  to  you  and  Mrs.  Hinckley,  and  testi- 
fy my  deep  sense  of  obligation,  and  to  bespeak  yr  favourable 
construction,  that  tidings  of  yr  sickness  (that  I  say  not  death) 
have  not  commanded  from  me  a  visit.  You  are  very  much  up- 
no  my  heart,  especially  considering  the  times  we  are  brought 
unto,  and  the  almost  insuperable  difficulties,  that  appear  every 
day  (at  least  in  my  apprehension)  in  your  way  to  accomplishing 
of  any  thing  considerable  for  the  interest  of  religion,  which  I 
believe  is  upon  your  heart  above  any  other  concern  in  ye  world. 
And   I   doubt  not  you  have   the  prayers   of  all  our  Churches 


LETTER  OF   GEORGE   SHOVE.  325 

(such  as  they  arc)  that  yc  Lord  will  be  with  you,  and  I  hope 
some  are  not  wanting  to  offer  to  your  pious  consideration,  what 
may  he  necessarie  to  he  done  for  the  honor  of  God  and  further- 
ance of  Reformation,  who  are  much  better  able  to  deal  thorowly 
therein  than  myself.  Yet  one  thing  I  cannot  but  suggest,  which 
sometimes  formerly  I  have  mentioned,  as  of  great  concernment, 
and  that  is,  that  some  effectuall  provision  (if  it  be  possible) 
may  be  made  against  the  open  prophanation  of  the  Lord's  Day. 
I  must  confesse,  it  is  very  hard  to  suppresse  that  sin  in  some 
parts  of  our  Collony,  and  I  fear  every  day  will  render  this  more 
difficult.  Had  Pocasset  Lands  been  in  the  hands  of  men  that 
had  syncere  regard  to  religion,  there  were  much  more  hopes  of 
effecting  something  to  the  purpose.  The  Lord  of  His  mercy 
doe  away  the  guilt  of  so  improvident  (that  I  say  not  irreligious) 
disposall   of  those  lands.     The   sad   consequence  whereof  will 

soon  appear. 

*  *  * 

If,  in  this  soe  desperate  a  case,  your  Honor  can  finde  out  any 
sure  expedient  that  the  prophaning  of  the  Lord's  Day  may  be 
prevented,  it  will  much  conduce  to  the  growing  of  Religion,  and 
the  turning  away  of  God's  wrath  from  us,  which  also  will  un- 
doubtedly kindle  a  fire  upon  us,  not  to  be  quenched.  At  the 
next  Court,  it  is  my  purpose  to  wait  upon  you  at  Plimouth,  if 
the  Lord  will.  I  was  at  Boston  the  beginning  of  this  month, 
but  brother  Walley  being  at  Barnstable  at  that  time,  I  doubt 
not  he  gave  your  Honour  a  more  full  account  of  the  state  of 
England,  &c,  than  opportunity  will  give  me  leave  now  to  doe 
by  letter.  Committing  therefore  yourself  and  all  the  great  con- 
cerns under  your  hands  to  Him  that  can  doe  above  all  we  can 
ask  or  think,  I  subscribe  your  Honour's  much 
obliged  servant, 

George  Shove. 

No.  13.     (Mather  Papers,  Vol.  5,  No.  19.) 
Letter  of  Jane  Hook  "  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wilson,  Boston." 
Worthy  and  dere  beloved  in  ye  Lord  :  —  The  Lord  has 
28 


326  THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 

sent  you  41bs.     20s  of  it  came  from  your  worthy  friend  Mr. 

Ginkines  anil  31bs  from  diverse  of  ye  Lord's  people. 

*  *  * 

Horrid  wickedness  here !  oh,  the  patience  of  God !  That  He 

does  not  rain  down  fire  and  "brimstone  from  Heaven. 

*  *  * 

Be  very  earnest  in  your  prayers  to  the  Lord  that  His  people 
be  not  carried  away  with  false  worship,  but  stand  close  to 
Christ's  pure  worship.  I  should  be  glad  to  hear  how  your  son 
does  do  at  New-Haven.  * 

Your  loving  sister  in  Christ, 

Jane  Hook. 

When  you  have  days  of  prayer,  my  case  is,  this  dreadful 
heart  sins  and  lacks  faith.  I  have  not  those  affections  I  should 
in  hearing  the  word,  mention  my  case. 

3m.  25d,  (16)83. 

No.  14.  (Hinckley  Papers,  Vol.  1,  No.  45.) 
Letter  of  G-eorge  Shove  to  Governor  Hinckley. 
This  letter  is  dated  "  Taunton,  July  3,  (16)83."  It  relates 
principally  to  the  Indians,  and  the  Quakers,  who  were  on  trial 
at  Plymouth,  the  former  for  murder,  the  latter  for  riot  and  blas- 
phemy. The  letter  is  very  obscure,  but  it  is  to  be  gathered 
from  it,  that  the  minister  of  Taunton  would  have  his  Honour 
not  fear  to  discharge  his  whole  duty,  and  in  case  of  guilt,  be- 
come a  "terror  to  evil  doers." 

No.  15.     (Hinckley  Papers,  Vol.  2,  No.  20.) 

Letter  of  Samuel  Danforth,  "  to   the   Honored   Thomas 

Hinckley,  Esq.,  in  Barnstable.     These" 

Taunton,  bd,  ~m.  1687. 
Honored  Sir  : — Hearing  of  yr  good  Inclinations  to  take  the 
trouble  of  visiting  Taunton  at  the  time  appointed  for  Ordina- 
tion :  Gratitude  obliged  to  an  Express  acknowledgement  there- 
of :  which  with  the  concurrent  earnest  desires  of  the  principall 
of  the   Town,  I  have  adventured  to  performe    by  these  rude 


LETTER  OF   WALTER  DEANE,   AND   OTHERS.         327 

lines:  The  Time  appointed  for  that  Solemnity  is  the  21  Day 
of  the  instant  mo.,  on  which  we  shall  have  a  double  exercise, 
God  willing.  I  beg  your  Prayers  for  myselfe,  utterly  unfit  for 
such  great  service  in  the  Church  of  God,  but  by  an  unwonted 
concurrence  of  Providences  thrust  forth  into  service  by  no  little 
violence.  Christ  was  led  into  a  wilderness  to  be  tempted ;  and 
the  Duties  of  a  Rurall  life  are  not  without  temptations.  But 
the  Grace  of  Christ  is  sufficient  for  such  to  whom  He  gives  the 
hand  of  faith  to  receive  it. 

Hon'd  Sir :  I  hope  there  is  no  need  to  repeat  the  desires  of 
ye  People  of  your  presence.  You  are  fully  acquainted  with 
their  dangers,  and  difficulties,  and  need  of  counsell.  Craving 
your  excuse  of  my  boldness,  and  presenting  my  humble  service 
to  yr  Honor,  I  remain  your  unworthy  friend  and  servant, 

*  *  Samuel  Danforth. 

No.  16.     (Hinckley  Papers,  Vol.  3,  No.  7.) 

Letter  of  Walter  Deane  and  others  "  to  the  Hon.  Mr. 
Thomas  Hinckley,  Governor,  living  in  Barnstable — 
These " 

Taunton,  April  7th,  1690. 

To  ye  Honor'ble  Mr.  Thomas  Hinckley.  Governor  of  their  Maj- 
estie's  Colony  of  New-Piimouth : 

Hon.  Sir  : — It  is  our  great  joy  that  God  has  continued  you 
among  us  hitherto  to  be  the  stay  and  staff  of  Church  and  State. 
"We  bless  God  that  has  restored  our  Judges  as  at  ye  first,  and 
our  Councellors  as  at  ye  beginning — our  Rulers  from  among 
ourselves  who  have  a  paternal  affection  to  us,  and  wish  our 
welfare,  and  to  whome  we  may  freely  speake  our  thoughts  with- 
out such  danger  as  heretofore  we  stood  in :  yet  desire  not  to 
abuse  such  freedom  to  Impudence,  as  some  do  in  uncivill  and 
corrupt  disrespect  of  authority.  We  are  sensible  that  your 
Honour  lies  under  a  great  burden,  on  whome  is  ye  care  of  all 
the  Towns  and  Churches  among  us,     The  Lord  be  your  great 


328 


THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 


reward,  and  the  renewer  of  your  strength,  yt  you  may  be  ena- 
beled  to  grapple  with  and  overcome  this  difference,  which  ye 
present  tottering  condition  of  our  State  does  produce.  Our  de- 
sign is  not  (we  hope)  to  increase  your  burden  of  care,  but  rath- 
er to  lighten  it,  if  we  could.  The  Lord  humble  us  for  our 
present  differences,  and  show  us  ye  cause  of  them,  and  give  us 
wisdom  to  behave  ourselves  aright  before  Him.  Our  differences 
are  most  unseasonable  and  unreasonable,  but  in  time  we  trust 
ye  dust  will  be  allayed. 

*  *  -:::- 

The  petitioners  here  proceed  to  speak  of  certain  differences 
which  had  arisen  in  a  militia  company  in  that  town  with  refer- 
ence to  a  choice  of  officers — Capt.  Leonard  had  been  elected* 
to  the  disaffection  of  a  few.  The  petitioners,  who  had  voted 
for  Capt  Leonard  that  they  might  not  "  lose  their  scope,"  "di- 
gested" as  they  say,  their  "thoughts  with  a  few  parts,"  i.  e. 
They  state  the  matter  under  eight  heads  —  and  in  conclusion 


We  are  far  too  bold  and  troublesome  to  your  Honour,  and 
crave  your  pardon — shall  finish  all  in  a  word  or  two.  We 
humbly  propose  that  your  Honour  would  take  the  pains  to  visit 
our  Town  on  some  time  appointed,  when  our  Major  Walley  may 

#  This  election  is  officially  announced  by  Shadrach  Wilbore.  Clerk 
of  the  Town,  in  a  paper  which  is  the  4th  in  Vol.  3  of  Hinckley  Papers, 
(the  best  specimen  of  chirography  in  the  whole  collection.)  Thomas 
Leonard  was  chosen  Captain,  receiving  88  votes — George  Macey  had  3 
votes.  James  Leonard,  Jun.,  was  chosen  Lieutenant,  receiving  68  votes 
—  Henry  Hodges  had  3  votes,  John  Hull,  Sen.,  had  4  votes,  and  George 
Macey  1  vote.  Henry  Hodges  was  chosen  "  Insigne,"  receiving  70  votes 
— John  Hall,  Sen.,  had  1  vote,  James  Leonard,  Jr.,  1  vote.  The  pro- 
ceedings are  pronounced  "  orderly  and  leagal." 

The  return  is  dated  "  Taunton,  31st  of  March,  1690." 


LETTER   OF  WALTER  DEANE,   AND   OTIIERS.         829 


be  present  also,  and  see   how  our  State  has  been  exceedingly 
misrepresented.  *  *  * 

We  rest  your  humble  supplicants, 

WaltekDeane,  J   D 

Nathaniel  \Y  illiams, 

James  Walker,  Senior, 

William  Haryey, 

John  Richmond, 
*     Shadrach  Wilbore,   Town  Clarice. 

Robert  Crossman,  Jr.,  Clarke  of  ye  Military . 

Peter  Walker, 


of  ye 

Town  Councill. 


'  >■    Constables. 
Samuel  Hall,     ) 

John  Hathaway,  Senior. 
We  sought  not  multitude  of  names  to  our  petition,  but  offices, 
or  officers  (not  to  boast)  but  yt  yr  Hon'r  may  know  how  far 
we  are  engaged  in  acting  or  to  act  for  ye  Town,  and  yt  many 
eyes  are  upon  us  to  lead  in  this  matter. 
28* 


330  THE   MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 


THE    LITHOGRAPHS   AND   AUTOGRAPHS   IN 
THIS  WORK. 


The  Lithographs  were  executed  by  B.  W.  Thayer  and  Co. 
of  Boston,  at  the  expense,  for  the  most  part  of  the  relatives  of 
the  individuals  represented.  Of  these  there  are  nine,  and  they 
occur  iu  the  following  order. 

1.  Francis  Baylies.  —  This  Portrait  was  furnished  by  Na- 
thaniel Morton,  Esq.,  son-in-law  of  Mr.  Baylies,  from  an  excel- 
lent painting  by  Harding,  executed  several  years  since,  when 
Mr.  B.  was  a  Member  of  Congress.  It  is  inserted  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  1st  Volume,  as  properly  introducing  a  work  for 
which  but  shortly  before  his  death,  he  prepared  the  "  Introduc- 
tory Notice." 

2.  David  Cobb. — John  Black,  Esq.,  of  Ellsworth,  Me., 
and  Judge  Wilde,  of  Boston,  sons-in-law  of  Gen.  Cobb,  have 
furnished  the  likeness  of  their  relative  from  an  admirable  paint- 
ing by  Stuart.    It  is  to  be  found  at  page  236  of  the  1st  Volume. 

3.  Marcus  Morton.  —  This  likeness  was  obtained  from  a 
Daguerreotype  impression  by  Mr.  H.  B.  King  of  Taunton,  and 
has  been  furnished  by  the  sons  of  Governor  Morton.  It  is  to 
be  found  in  connection  with  a  notice  of  the  family,  at  page  251 
of  the  1st  Volume. 

4.  Samuel  Crocker.—  This  lithograph  was  also  obtained 
from  a  Daguerrean  picture  by  King,  and  has  been  furnished  by 
Samuel  B.  King,  Esq.,  son-in-law  of  Mr.  Crocker.  It  is  in- 
serted at  page  340  of  the  1st  Volume. 

5.  Caleb  Barnum. —  This  lithograph  was  obtained  from  a 
profile  and  miniature  likeness  of  Mr.  Barnum  in  possession  of 


LITHOGRAPHS.  331 


the  only  surviving  child  of  the  minister,  Widow  Child  of  Taun- 
ton. The  grand-children,  George  Child  and  Charles  R.  Vick- 
ery,  both  of  Taunton,  have  furnished  it  for  this  work.  It  is 
inserted  at  the  commencement  of  the  2d  Volume. 

6.  Ephraim  Judson. —  This  lithograph  is  a  faithful  copy  of 
a  portrait  found  in  Windsor,  Conn.  It  was  shown  to  a  lady, 
who  heard  Mr.  Judson  preach  fifty  years  ago,  and  she  at  once 
recognized  it,  exclaiming,  "That's  Mr.  Judson."  It  was  fur- 
nished for  insertion  in  this  work  by  Rev.  Alvah  Cobb  and  others. 
Vide  page  35,  2d  Volume. 

7.  Pitt  Clarice.  —  This  likeness  was  furnished  by  the  sons  of 
Mr.  Clarke,  and  is  inserted  at  page  161  of  the  2d  Volume. 

8.  Peres  Fobes. — Mr.  William  R.  Deane  and  others  have 
famished  this  likeness,  which  is  pronounced  true  to  the  origi- 
nal, by  those  who  remember  the  man.  Vide  page  218,  2d 
Volume. 

9.  Robert  Treat  Paine.'- -This  portrait  was  obtained  from  a 
painting  by  Stuart,  presented  the  City  of  Boston  by  a  grandson 
of  the  Judge,  and  suspended  in  Faneuil  Hall.  It  was  furnish- 
ed for  this  work  by  another  grandson  of  Judge  Paine,  Charles 
C.  Paine,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  and  his  brother-in-law,  George  B. 
Cary,  Esq.,  also  of  Boston.  It  is  inserted  at  page  309  of  the 
2d  Volume. 

It  is  not  known  that  there  are  any  other  portraits  of  the  ear- 
lier ministers  and  prominent  persons  treated  of  in  these  volumes, 
in  existence,  with  the  exception  of  one  of  Roland  Green  of 
Mansfield,  and  a  second  of  Nicholas  Tillinghast  of  Taunton, 
both  which  we  have  failed  of  securing.  It  was  hoped  that 
Judge  Williams,  and  Judge  Wilde  might  be  added  to  the  list, 
but  circumstances  beyond  our  control  have  conspired  to  prevent. 
There  is  a  no  less  truthful  than  beautiful  tribute  to  the  memory 
of  the  latter  in  the  following  lines  of  John  H.  Sheppard,  Esq,, 
suggested  by  seeing  for  the  first  time  the  Bust  of  Judge  Wilde , 
executed  by  Stephenson,  at  the  request  of  the  Suffolk  Bar: 


332  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUXTOX. 


The  marble  speaks.     "'Tis  he,"  the  observer  cries, 
The  very  head  —  the  mouth  —  the  full-orb'd  eyes, 
The  Roman  nose  —  the  lip  —  the  cheek  so  thin, 
The  brow  expanding  from  deep  thought  "within 5 
So  true  to  nature  every  feature  glows, 
It  seems  like  life  just  waking  from  repose. 

A  nobler  heart  ne'er  warm'd  the  human  breast, 
Than  gave  the  image  on  that  stone  impress'd ; 
And  while  we  gaze,  and  every  look  compare, 
We  almost  dream  the  mind  itself  is  there, 
With  all  the  wit  and  eloquence  and  power, 
As  they  beam'd  forth  in  life's  meridian  hour. 
Bless'd  be  the  sculptor,  whose  Promethean  art 
Could  touch  the  marble  and  such  life  impart. 

Though  never  more  we  see  thy  luminous  star 
Gleam  midst  the  Pleiads  o'er  the  learned  Bar, 
Yet  while  Law's  temple  shall  adorn  the  land, 
Time-honor'd  worth  like  thine  rever'd  will  stand. 

Long,  long  may  this  memorial  point  the  line, 
Where  wreaths  forensic  ever  brightest  shine  j 
Teach  the  young  sons  of  legal  lore  to  aim 
At  lofty  heights  of  pure,  unspotted  fame ; 
And  be  like  Wilde,  generous,  upright,  sincere, 
Whose  model  practice  caus'd  no  client's  tear, 
Whose  setting  sun,  to  learned  leisure  given, 
Lingering  yet  gilds  life's  eve,  beneath  the  smiles  of  Heaven. 


AUTOGRAPHS.  333 


THE  AUTOGRAPHS. 


1.    William  Hook. — This  is  taken      -^^.y/*  * 

from  a  letter  found  among  the  "  Ma-  \^}r  i{^%am aWC» 


ther  Papers,"  (Collections  of  the  Mass. 

Hist.  Soc.)  dated  "the  7th  of  ye  6th  1677."     Vide  page  319, 

2d  Volume  of  this  work. 


*0/™!  ^A«A 


2.  Jane  Hook. — Taken  from  a 
letter  in  the  same  series 
pers,"  dated  "6m,8  day.    (16)77."     Vide  page  320,  2d 
Volume,  for  this  and  other  letters. 

3.  NicMaS  Street.  -  Taken  ^J^  J^^ 
from  a  letter  dated   ''New-Haven  v 

12:  8:  (16)68."  Vide  page  164,  1st  Volume,  also  a  letter 
in  the  "  Mather  Papers,"  dated  "  N.  H.  15  of  the  Sd  (16)66." 
Vide  page  317,  2d  Volume. 

4.  George  Shove.  —  Taken 
from  a  letter  among  the  "  Hinck- 
ley Papers,"  (Mass.  Hist.  Soc.) 
dated  "June  1,  1680,"  unexpectedly  discovered.  Vide  page 
176,  1st  Volume ;  also  page  322,  2d  Volume,  for  this  and  other 
letters. 

5.  Samuel  Dan forth.  ^  i&  -  £\  JL~,lJP 
Taken  from  an  original  ^  «*««£*-  ^OuYXpnTHC 
Will,  witnessed  by  Samuel  Danforth  and  others. 


^27*eg&&* 


334  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 


6.  Thomas  Clap.— 
Taken  from  a  Look  of  (7  //frf/fl^bf 
Mr.    Clap's   "bought 
at  vendue,  1743,"  en- 
titled "the  Grand  abridgement  of  tbe  Law." 

7.  Josiah  Crock-  a  >*0  J? 

er.  -  Taken  from       (PffSJtfi^  f^O-^A^^ 
a,a  "answer  to  ag-     //^  V 

grieved  brethren,"   (/  ^**^     ■" 

dated  "  Dec.  20th,  1745." 

8.  Richard  Williams. — Taken    -^  $  ^*    *~^\      ,fft      *» 
from  a  letter  among  tbe  "Hinck-   Hh&^W****** 

ley  Papers"  (Mass.  Hist.  Soc.)  declining  an  invitation  to  leave 
Taunton,  on  account  of  the  Indian  War,  dated,  "April  15, 
1676."     Vide  page  318,  2d  Volume. 

9.  Walter  Deane.—  Taken  (\v*0fofr~J59W+*> 

from  the  same  letter,  signed  *  &? 

by  Deane,  Williams,  and  two  others  for  the  town. 

10.  George  Macy  and  William 
Harvey. — Their  signatures  were 
found  attached  to  the  above  named 
letter. 

11.  William  Pole.  —  Signztmefacfao^^jQeh^ 

found  on  the  Town  Records  of  Dor-  ^J* 

Chester,  he  being  ten  years,  after  leaving  Taunton,  "Registrar" 
of  that  town. 

bore. — Taken  from  the  "Records  of  Proprietors "  dated  "14^A 
of  June,  1670."     Vide  page  56,  1st  Volume  of  this  work. 


AUTOGRAPHS. 


335 


13. 

Williams 


^-(S&Hl   SMMia^ 


Taken  from  "  Records  of  Proprietors 
ing  Thomas  Leonard  as  "  Clerk." 

14.  Samuel  Fales.  — 
Taken  from  a  letter  to 
"  Hon.  John  Davis,  26th 
of  July,  1816."  Yide 
page  247,  Volume  1. 


Mr.  Williams  succeed- 


15.  George  Leon- 
ard. —  Taken  from 
the    "Records    of 
Norton  South  Precinct,"  of  which  Mr.  Leonard  was  Clerk,  da- 
ted "April  2,  1745." 

16.  George  Leonard,  Junior. — Taken  from  the  above  nam- 
ed Records,  Mr.  Leonard  being  "Precinct  Clerk"  till  1753. 

17.  John         ^f  S  /■ 


Smith 

TakeUJ 

a  letter  of  / 

the  Dighton  Church,  recommending  Gen 

the  Church  in  Taunton. 

18.  William  Reed.  —  Furn- 
ished by  Rev.  David  Reed,  son 
of  the  minister  of  Easton. 


George  Godfrey  to 


336  TIIE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON, 


19.  John    Wales. — Furnished  by  /f  S  ^ 
Mr.  William  R.   Deane,  descendant       flt^^Ufe^f 
by  marriage,  of  Mr.  Wales,  attached    / 

to  a  letter  dated   "  Raynham,  Decern.   27,    1762,"  and  "for 
Doct.  Benjamin  Church,  in  Boston." 

20.  Samuel  Tobey.  —  Taken  from 

the  Church  Records  of  Berkley.  ^^-  Vtrfesf 

21.  Thomas  Aadros. — Taken  from  a  letter  to  Gen.  George 
Godfrey,    dated   -Berkley,    July  25,    1791, 
against  the  settlement  of  John  Foster. 


frlJfa  (^&fff~ 


iy&*t 


22.  Ehenezer    White 


Furnished     by   Rev.    Mr.     ty&CflzAgf'i 
Blake,  and  written  in  1736.     v  ff^' 


.  i^&^t^n^Z    ^^C^Tz^—^ 


23.    Ro- 
land Green 

Furnished  /&  S 

by  Rev.  Mr.  -^ 

Blake,  and  written  in  1761. 

The  autographs  beneath  the  Portraits  in  these  Volumes,  were 
furnished  by  tie  friends  of  the  individuals  represented,  with 
the  exception  of  Mr.  Barnum's,  which  was  found  attached  to  a 
receipt  for  salary,  among  the  papers  of  Gen.  Godfrey,  and  Mr. 
Judson's,  which  was  found  attached  to  a  Church  document  in 
the  same  place. 


INDEX  OF  SUBJECTS. 


N.B.    The  figures  refer  to  pages.    The  volumes  are  distinguished  by 
I.  and  ii. 

A 

Andrews,  Henrr,  notice  of,  i.  48. 
Andros,  Thomas,  notice  of  n.  254-263. 

His  Sermon  in  1790  ;  263-277. 
Articles  of  faith,  ancient  ones  of  Church  in  Taunton,  n.  118-120. 
Autographs  of  early  settlers  of  Taunton,  n.  333-336. 
Avery,  Joseph,  notice  of,  n.  156. 

B 

Barnes,  David  Leonard,  notice  of,  i.  250. 

Barnum,  Caleb,  notice  of,  n.  1-10.     Sermons  of;  11-29. 

Bassett,  An-elra.  notice  of,  i.  253. 

Baylies,  Alfred,  notice  of,  I.  241. 

Baylies.  William,  notice  of,  i.  238,  239. 

Baylies,  Francis,  notice  of.  i.  252,  553. 

Belcher,  Joseph,  notice  of,  n.  193. 

Berkley,  origin  of  its  name,  and  first  church  organization,  II.  250. 

Briggs",  Richard,  notice  of,  n.  289-292. 

C 

Calvinist  Baptist  Church,  Taunton  Green,  n.  142,  143. 
"  "  ;t         Norton,  ii.  182. 

"  "  "         Dighton,  ii.  190. 

"  "  "         Eavnham,  n.  248. 

"  "         Mansfield,  n.  295. 

Case,  Edward,  notice  of,  I.  56.  57. 
Christian  Baptist,  Central.  Taunton,  n.  152. 
1st  and  2d  Diditon,  n.  191. 
"  ,'         Mansfield,  n.295. 

Church,  earliest  organization  in  Taunton,  i.  19.  20. 

"         Protestant  Episcopal,  i.  342-345  :  n.  122-126. 
"         Congregational.  West  Taunton,  ft.  126-129. 
"         Congregational,  Taunton  Green,  n.  129-140. 
"         Congregational,  Trinitarian,  n.  143-146. 

Norton,  n.  183,  184. 
"  "         Second.  Eavnham.  n.  243, 

Berkley,  ii.  278. 
Mansfield,  n.  293. 
Clap,  Thomas,  notice  of,  I.  292-301  :  Sermon  of,  302-329. 
Clarke,  Pitt,  notice  of,  n.  161-169  ;  Sermon  of,  170-179. 

Eight  Hand  of  Fellowship,  179-182. 
Cobb,  David,  notice  of,  236,  237. 
Concluding  Remarks,  n.  305-308. 

2d 


338  THE   MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 


Convention  of  ministers  in  Boston  in  1743,  i.  378-381. 

Cooke,  Thomas,  notice  of,  i.  60. 

Convithy,  David  notice  of,  i.  58." 

Crocker,  Josiah,  notice  of,  i.  330-341.  Letter  of,  346-376.  Preaching  in 
Middlcboro',  376-378.  Mss.  Sermons,  381,  382.  Answer  to  ag- 
grieved brethren,  382-393. 

Danforth,  Samuel,  notice  of,  i.  177-190.  Sermon  of,  191-232.  Letters 
of,  255-266.  Lecture  of,  266,  267.  Essay  on  Singing,  267-287. 
Poem  on  his  death,  287-291. 

Dawes,  Ebenezer,  notice  of;  i.  241. 

Deane,  Ezra,  notice  of;  i.  233,  234. 

Deane,  John  and  Walter,  notice  of,  and  their  descendants  ;  i.  49-56. 

Difficulties  leading  to  Mr.  Judson's  dismission,  n.  114-118. 

Dighton,  its  incorporation,  first  church  and  ministry,  n.  186-191. 
Second  Congregational  Society,  n.  189,  190. 

E 

Easton,  its   incorporation  and   church   organization,  n.  192.     Earliest 
church  covenant,  194-198.     Second  Congregational  Church,  209. 
Ecclesiastical  council  in  Taunton  in  1763  ;  i.  393,  394. 
Ellis,  James,  notice  of;  i.  255. 
English,  their  first  visit  to  Taunton,  i.  15,  33. 

F 

Pales,  Samuel,  notice  of;  i.  246-248. 
Farwell,  Thomas,  notice  of;  i.  57. 
Eisher,  Nathaniel,  notice  of;  n.  186,  187. 

Eobes,  Peres,  notice  of;  n.  218-235.     Selections  from  sermon  on  exe- 
cution of  Dixon,  235-247. 
Poster,  John,  notice  of;  n.  130-132. 

Preemen,  qualifications  of  under  our  Colonial  government;  i.  46. 
Pree  Will  Baptist  Church,  Taunton,  n.  146. 
Priends,  meeting  of  in  Taunton,  it.  12]. 

«       "     "  Mansfield,  n.  294,  295. 

a 

Gilbert,  John,  notice  of;  i.  48. 

Gilbert,  Thomas,  notice  of ;  i.  59,  60. 

Gingell,  John,  notice  of;  i.  62. 

Godfrey,  Job,  notice  of ;  i.  234-236. 

Godfrev,  Jones,  notice  of;  i.  236. 

Green,* Roland,   notice  of;  n.  284-289.      His   last  sermon;  296-300 

His  charge ;  301-304. 

H 
Hoar,  Hezekiah,  notice  of;  i.  61. 
Hollowav,  Mr.  notice  of;  i.  58. 
Hooke,  William,  notice  of;  1.63-73.     Sermons  of;  75-129.    Letter  to 

Gov.  Winthrop,  130-133.     Discourse  on  "Priviledge  of  saints  on 

Earth,  &c.;"  133-151.  Discourse  concerning  "the  VVitnesses ;"  152. 

154.    Letter  concerning  the  family  of  Hooke  from  Rev.  J.  Wad- 

dington;  154,  155. 
Hull,  Stephen,  notice  of;  II.  247. 


INDEX   OF   SUBJECTS.  339 


I 

Incorporation  of  Taunton  and  the  towns  originally  included  within  its 

limits  ;  I.  39,  40. 
Iron  Works,  earliest  in  Taunton,  n.  211. 

J 

Jones,  Elias,  notice  of  ;  n.  30-33. 

Judson,  Epkraim,  notice  of;  u.  35-43.     Sermons  of;  45-113. 

Z, 

Leonard,  Daniel,  notice  of;  i.  244,  245. 

Leonard,  George,  notice  of;  i.  241. 

Letters  of  Hook,  Street,  Shove,  Danforth  and  others,  in  the  Mather  and 
Hinckley  Papers  of  the  Mass.  Hist.  Society,  for  the  first  time  pub- 
lished ;  n.  316-329. 

Lithographs  in  this  work,  n.  330-332. 

M 

Mansfield,  its  earliest  existence  as  a  parish,  n.  279.    Ancient  church 

covenant,  280. 
Massassoit  and  the  English,  league  of  friendship  between  them  ;  i.  30,  31. 
Mavflower,  number  and  names  of  those  who  came  to  New-England  in 

it;  I.  29,  30. 
McKinstry,  Doctor,  notice  of;  i.  239,  240. 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Taunton,  n.  148. 

Whittenton,  n.  151,  152. 

"  "  "        Dighton,        "  191. 

"  "  "         Easton,  "  209. 

Mansfield,      «  295 
Ministry,  support  of  in  Plymouth  Colony;  i.  165-169. 
Morton,  Marcus,  notice  of;  i.  251,  252. 

n 

New-England,  its  early  literature  ;  i.  22-29. 

North  Purchase  ;  i.  38. 

Norton,  incorporation  of  the  town;  n.  153.    Formation  and  covenant 

of  the  first  church ;  154,155.     Its  ministry  ;  156-182. 
Notice  of  early  settlers  and  church  members  in  Taunton;  i.  42-62. 

"        "  the  medical  profession  in  Taunton;  1.233-241. 

'*        "  the  profession  of  law  in  Taunton  ;  i.  242-255. 

€> 

Otis,  Ephraim,  notice  of;  i.  240. 

F 

Padelfoia,  Seth,  notice  of;  i.  246. 

Paine,  Robert  Treat,  notice  of;  i.  243,  244;  II.  309-316. 

Palmer,  Joseph,  notice  of;  n.  157-161. 

Parker,  William,  notice  of;  i.  57. 

Paull,  Richard,  notice  of;  i.  61. 

Pipon,  John,  notice  of;  n.  132-138. 


340  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 


Pool,  Elizabeth  :  her  purchase  of  the  town  of  Taunton  ;  i.  36,  37  ;   her 

death  and  place  of  burial :  42,  43 . 
Pool,  William,  death,  burial  and  epitaph;  I.  46,  47. 
Prentice,  Solomon,  notice  of:  n.  193-200. 
Protestant,  or  Reformed  Methodist  Church,  Taunton:  n.  148,  149. 

Easton  ;  n.  209. 
Purchases,  first  and  ancient  of  town  of  Taunton;  i.  37. 

R 

Eaynham,rincorporation  and  earliest  church  organization;  n.  211-214. 

Topographical  description  of,  by  Fobes  ;  n.  214,  215. 

Peed,  William,  notice  of:  n.  200,  203.     Sermon  of:  204-209. 

Revival  of  religion  in  Taunton:  i.  256-200.    346-376.    394. 

Richmond,  John,  notice  of;  i.  60.  61. 

Roman  Catholic  Church,  Taunton;  n.  149. 

"  "  "         Easton ;  n.  210. 

Rossiter,  Hugh,  notice  of:  I.  61. 

8 

Sandemanian  meeting  in  Taunton  :  n.  121/122. 

Sanford,  Enoch,  notice  of;  n.  247,' 248. 

Scadding.  William,  notice  of;  i.  62. 

Schoolmaster,  the  tirst  in  Taunton;  i.  41. 

Settlement  of  Taunton;  i.  16,  17. 

Short,  Matthew,  notice  of;  n.  192.  193. 

Shove,  George,  notice  of;  i.  171-176. 

Six  Principle  Baptist  Church,  Taunton  ;  n.  141,  142. 

Smith,  John,  of  Dighton,  notice  of:  n.  187,  188. 

Smith,  Richard  and  John,  notice  of;  i.  57. 

South  Purchase  ;  i.  39. 

Spring  Street  Church,  Taunton;  n.  149-151. 

Sproat,  James,  notice  of:  I.  248,  249. 

Squanto,  his  friendship  for  the  English  ;  i.  31-33. 

Street,  Francis,  notice  of;  i.  62. 

Street,  Nicholas,  notice  of ;  i.  58.  156-164.    Lost  production  of;  I.  169, 

170. 
Strong,  John,  notice  of :  i.  48,  49. 

Supply  of  the  pulpit  after  dismission  of  Mr.  Jones,  n.  34. 
Swift," Poster,  notice  of;  i.  240,  241. 
Swedenborgians,  Taunton,  n.  152. 


Taunton.'first  visited  by  the  English,  Winslow  and  Hopkins,  in  1621  ; 
i.  13-15.  33-36  ;  first  settled  by  Elizabeth  Pool  and  her  company, 
in  1637  ;  16,  17  :  first  purchase;  18,  37  :  subsequent  purchases  ;  18, 
38,  39  :  earliest  church  organization  ;  18-20.  40-42  ;  first  and  suc- 
ceeding meeting  houses  ;  20,  21. 

Tillinghast"  Nicholas,  notice  of:  l.  250,  251. 

Tobey,  Samuel,  notice  of;  n.  251-254. 

U 

Union  meeting,  Raynham  :  n.  249. 
Universalis!  Church,  Taunton  ;  n.  147,  148. 


INDEX   OP  NAMES. 


341 


w 

"Wales,  John,  notice  of;  n.  212-216.    Attestation  to  revival  of  religion, 

216,217. 
Wesleyan  Methodist  Church,  Taunton  ;  n.  151. 

"  Norton;  n.  185. 

White,  Ebenezer,  notice  of;  n.  281--284. 
White,  Samuel,  notice  of;  i.  242,  243. 
Wilde,  Samuel  S.  notice  of;  i.  254. 
Williams,  John  Mason,  notice  of;  i.  251. 
Williams,  Richard,  his  marriage  and  descendants  ;  I.  43-46. 
Winslow  and  Hopkins,  their  journey  from  Plymouth  to  Mount  Hope 

Bay,  through  Taunton  in  1621 ;  i.  13.  33-36. 


INDEX    OF   NAMES. 


Adams, 
Allen, 


•  i.  173. 
:.  26. 


Allen,  Cyrus  W.  n.  129,  184. 
Allen,  James  i.  180,  182. 
Allen,  John  i.  27. 
Allen,  Thomas  xi.  6. 
Andrews,  Henry  i.  20,  48. 
Andros,  R.  S.  Storrs  n.  250,  254. 
Andros,  Thomas  n.  115,  127,  254- 

263,  336. 
Atwood,  George  B.  n.  128,  143. 
Avery,  Joseph  n.  156. 

B 

Baclie,  Samuel  n.  316. 

Bacon,   Leonard   i.  66,  69,  70,  71 

135, 157,  160,  165,  169,  II.  144. 
Barnes,  David  Leonard  i.  250. 
Barnum,  Caleb  n.  1-29,  330. 
Barnum,  Peter  T.  n.  3. 
Bassett,  Anselm  i.  258. 
Baylies,  Alfred  i.  241. 

29* 


Bavlies,  Francis  1. 16,  17, 18, 19,  20, 
21,  22,  31,  36,  41,  45,  46,  165,  168, 
181,  182,  238,  252,  253,  336,  342- 
il.  8,  30,  32,  40,  129,  132,  330. 

Baylies,  William  1st.  I.  238,  241. 

Baylies,  William  2d.  I.  238. 

Belcher,  Joseph  n.  193. 

Bent,  N.  T.  i.  343,  n.  122,  125. 

Bigelow,  Andrew  I.  63,  n.  139, 140, 
167. 

Bishep,  Master  i.  40. 

Black,  John  i.  237,  n.  330. 

Blackaller,  Henry  n.  125. 

Blagden,  George  W.  i.  134,  164. 

Blake,  Mortimer  n.  156,  279,-294. 

Bowles,  Leonard  C.  i.  381. 

Bradford,  James  n.  41. 

Bradford,  William  i.  25,  29. 

Breed,  William  J.  n.  129. 

Brett, i.  391. 

Brewster,  William  i.  26,  29. 

Bridgman,  E.  C  I.  394,  n.  143. 


342 


THE  MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 


Brings,  Richard  n.  289-292.  )  Danforth,  Samuel  2d.  i.  177-291, 

Brigham,  Charles  H.  1.72,301,381  J     II.  121,  327,  333. 


II.  132,  140. 

Bulkier, i.  26. 

Burbank,  J.  F.  n.  142. 
Burgess,  Ebeuezer  n.  143. 


Caldwell,  John  i.  388. 
Campbell,  Archibald  n.  200. 
Carver,  John  i.  13,  29. 
Carver,  Robert  n.  129,  248. 
Case.  Edward  I.  20.  48,  56. 
Caswcl,  Samuel  i.  239. 
Chamberlain,  Charles  n.  278. 
Chauncv,  Charles  I.  23,  161. 
Cheevef,  Ezekiel  i.  27,  41. 
Clapp,  Ebcn  Jr.  i.  172. 


Clap,  Thomas  i.  292-329.  n.  213,  Deane,  Samuel  i.  19. 


Danforth,  Walter  K.  1. 179, 184,187. 
Davenport,  John   i.    16,  26,  66,  67, 

69,  156,  160,  161,  164. 
Davis,  Isaac  P.  i.  247,  260. 
Dawes,  Ebenezer  i   241. 
Dawes,  Eben.  Jr.  II.  129. 

Daye, i.  22. 

Deane,  Benjamin  i.  55. 

Dcane,  Ezra  i.  54. 

Deane,  Ezra  Doct.  i.  54,  223. 

Deane,  Isaac  i.  52. 

Deane,  Israel  I.  52. 

Deane,  John  l.  20,  4S,  49,  50. 

Deane,  Joseph  i.  53. 

Deane,  Philander  W.  I.  394,  II.  143. 

Deane,  S.  i.  52,  61. 


j Deane,  Thomas  i.  51. 
Deane,  Walter  i.  20,48,49,  52, 172, 

11.318,  319,  327,  334. 
Deane,  Wm.  R.  i.  44,  56,  235,  n. 

215,  218,  248,  331. 

Demonds, i.  21. 

Diiihton,  Frances  i.  43. 

Domett,    Simeon  I.   237,  n.  230, 

248,  249,  288. 
Doggett,  Theop.  P.  n.  218. 
Doughty,  Francis  i.  21,  40. 
Dudley,'  Joseph  i.  228. 
Dunster,  Henry  i.  23. 


250,  334. 
Clark,  Henry  n.  142. 
Clarke,  Pitt  II.  133,  161-169,  288, 

331. 
Cobb,Alvan  n.  42.  127,  128,  331. 
Cobb,  David  I.  236,  237,  244,  II.  330 
Cobbet,  Thomas  i.  26. 
Coe,  Samuel  G.  I.  175,  ii.  2. 
Colburn,  Samuel  W.  n.  127. 
Colbv,  H.  G.  O.  i.  254. 
Cooke,  Thomas  i.  20,  60. 
Coram,  Thomas  i.  342,  343. 
Corwithy,  David  i.  20,  58. 
Cothren*  William  n.  35. 
Cotton,  John  i.  26. 
Cotton,  Josiah  I.  173. 
Crafts,  Frederic  u.  127. 
Crocker,   Josiah  I.   237,  330-394. 

ii.  334. 
Crocker,  Samuel  I.  237,  238,  335, 

339-341.  II.  330. 
Crocker,  Samuel  L.  I.  341. 
Crocker,  William  A.  i.  341. 
Cromwell,  Oliver  I.  69,  130. 
Croswell,  Joseph  i.  394. 

Cushman,  Elder  I.  26.  Fales,  Samuel  i.  246-248 

Cushman,  Martyn  ii.  129.  Fales,  Sarah  K.  i.  246.    n 

jj  Farwell,  Thomas  i.  20,  57 

Farrington, n.  127. 

Danforth,  John   I.   179,  182,  267.  Firmin,  Giles  i.  27. 

269-291.  Fisher,  Nathaniel  n.  186,  187,  250. 

Danforth,  Nicholas  I.  177.  Fisk,  John  i.  27. 

Danforth,  Samuel  1st.  i.  178, 179,  Fobes,  Peres  n.  31,  214,  218-235. 

182.  '    Ii.  331. 


Eastman,  L.  Root  n.  250,  278. 
Eaton,  Theophilus  i.  16,  27,  65. 
Edwards,  B.  B.  n.  144. 
Eliot,  John  1.26,  179. 
Ellis,  James  i.  255. 
Emmons,  Nathaniel  n.  4. 
Everett,  Edward  i.  72. 


ii.  335. 

128. 

173. 


INDEX   OB   NAMES. 


343 


Foster,   John   I.  240.  n.  126,  129- 

132. 
Fuller,  Samuel  i.  25. 

Gilbert,  E.  R.  i.  159. 

Gilbert,  John,  Sen.  i.  20,  48. 

Gilbert,  Thomas  I.  20,  59. 

Gingell,  John  i.  20,  62. 

Godfrey,  George  I.  20,  235,  n.  114. 

Godfrey,  Job  i.  234,  235. 

Godfrey,  John  i.  21. 

Godfrey,  Jones  i.  236. 

Godfrey,  Richard  i.  234. 

Godfrey,  Eobert.i.  234. 

Godfrey,  Snmuel  n.  143. 

Goff,  Rev.  Mr.  of  Dighton  n.  122, 

133. 
Grafton,  B.  C.  n.  142. 
Green,    Roland   n.  284-289,  296, 

301,  331,  336 
Green,  Samuel  i.  22. 
Guild,  John  I.  330,  350. 
Gushc,  Abraham  n.  190. 

II 

Hall,  Silas  n.  142. 

Hamilton,  Luther  u.  138,  139. 

Hampden,  John  i.  15. 

Harvard,  John  i.  29. 

Harvey,   William   i.  171,   172,   II 

318,  319,  334. 
Hassard,  Samuel  n.  125. 
Hillard,  George  S.  i.  339. 
Hinckley,  Thomas  n.  318,  322,  324 

326,  327. 
Hinman,  R.  R.  n.  2. 
Hoar,  Hezekiah  I.  20,  61. 
Holloway,  Mr.  i.  20,  58. 

Holman, u.  127. 

Holmes,  Franklin  n.  183,  184. 
Homer,  William  B.  n.  i44. 
Hook,  Jane  n.  320--322  324,  326, 
''    333. 
Hooke,  William  i.  16,   19,  21,  24, 

40,  63--155,  II.  319,  320,  333. 

Hooker, i.  16,  26. 

Hopkins,  Stephen  i.  13,  30,  33. 
Horton,  Josephus  W.  n.  141. 
Hull,  Stephen  n.  247. 
Hunt, i.  32. 


Isham,  Chester  n.  143-145. 

J 

James,  Elisha  i.  299,  300. 
Jenks,  William  i.  382. 
Jones,  Abraham  u.  212. 
Jones,  Elias  n.  30-34. 
Judson.  Adoniram  n.  37. 
Judson,  Ephraim  i.  169,  239,  II.  35- 
120,  126.  ii.  331. 

K 

King.  Samuel  B.  I.  335,  341,  II.  330. 
Kirkland,  Pres.  n.  133. 


Lawrence,  Abbott  i.  63,  154. 
Leonard,  Cromwell  n.  153,  161. 
Leonard,  Daniel  i.  244,  245. 
Leonard,  George  i.  294,  n.  155, 335. 
Leonard,  George  Jr.  n.  335. 
Leonard,  George,  Doctor  i.  241. 
Leonard,  Thomas  i.  184,  235,  236, 

ii.  328. 
Lechford,  Thomas  i.  18,  40. 
Linkon,  Nathaniel  I.  388. 
Lothrop,  John  i.  23. 
Lyon,  John  n.  122,  123. 

m 

Macomber,  John  i.  48. 

Macy,  George  n.  318,  319,  328, 334. 

Maltby,  Erastus   n.  143,  145,  146, 

149. 
Massassoit,  i.  13,  30- 
Mather,  Cotton  i.  65,  165,  178,  179, 

182,  184,  261. 
Mather,  Increase  1. 161, 182,  n.  319- 

322. 
Mather,  Richard  i.  26,  41,  64. 
Matthews,  Marmaduke  I.  24. 
McKinstry,  William  i.  239. 
Merrick,  Pliny  I.  254. 
Morell,  William  i.  25. 

Morton, Sec.  I.  25. 

Morton,  Marcus  r.  235,  251,  252, 

258,  ii.  330. 
Morton,  Nathaniel  I.  258.  ii.  330. 


34-1 


THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 


Nelson,  Rev.  Mr.  of  N.  Taunton. 

ii.  122. 
Nettleton,  Asahel  n.  128. 
Neville.  Edmund  n.  125. 
Newman,  Samuel  i.  25,  165,  173. 
Niles,  Rev.  Mr.  n.  32,  115. 
Norris,  Edward  i.  27. 
Norton,  John  i.  23,  24, 161. 
Noyes,  James  i.  27. 

O 

Ogdon,  Nathaniel  n.  127. 
Otis,  Ephraim  i.  240. 


Padleford,  Scth  i.  245,  246, 
Paine,  Robert  Treat  i.  42,237,243 

244,  II.  8.  309--316,  331. 
Palmer,  Joseph  n.  158-161. 
Parker,  Thomas  i.  27. 
Parker,  William  I.  20,  #0,  57. 
Parsons,  J.  U.  n.  278. 
Parsons,  Theophilus  i.  254. 
Partridge,  Ralph  i.  24. 
Paull,  Richard  i.  20,  61. 
Peters,  Hugh  i.  26. 
Phillips.  George  i.  27. 
Pipon,  John  ii.  132-13S,  288. 
Pollard,  Andrew  n.  142,  143. 
Pool,  Elizabeth  i.  16, 18,  19,  36,  42, 

157. 
Pool,  William  i.  20,  46,  48,  n.  334 
Poor,  Ebenezer  n.  277,  278. 
Porter,  Charles  S.  II.  38. 
Pratt,  Micah  i.  238. 
Pratt,  William  ii.  193. 
Prence,  Gov.  i.  26. 
Prentice,  Solomon  n.  193--200. 
Preston, n.  127. 


Reed,  William  of  Easton,  n.  200- 

203,  335. 
Richmond,  John  i.  20,  60. 
Richmond,  T.  T.  n.  129,  254. 
Robbins,  Thomas  I.  169,  170. 
Robinson,  John  i.  26. 
Rogers,  Daniel  i.  352,  380. 
Rogers,  Ezekiel  i.  27. 
Rogers,  John  i.  380. 
Rogers,  Nathaniel  i.  26. 
Rossiter,  Hugh  i.  20,  61. 
Round,  Sylvester  ex.  141. 


Sanford,  Enoch  n.  212,  247,  248. 
Savage,  James  I.  63,  72,  339. 
Savward,  James  H.  n.  292,  293. 
Scadding,  William  i.  20,  62. 
Shaw,  Rev.  Mr.  n.  31,  32. 
Sheldon,  Luther  ii.  209. 
Sheldon,  Mrs.  ii.  134. 
Shepherd,  n.  127. 
Sheppard,  John  H.  n.  33L 
Sherman, i.  26. 


Prince,  Thomas  i.  29, 134, 184,  255, 

335,  346. 
Purmont,  Philemon  i.  41. 
Pynchon,  William  i.  27. 


Rawson,  Grindal  i.  183. 

Reed,  David  n.  200. 

Reed,  Edgar  H.  i.  20,  43,  50,  60. 

235,  238,  239,  294. 
Reed,  Erederick  A.  u.  129. 


Sherman,  Elijah  n.  35. 

Short,  Matthew  n.  192,  193. 

Shove,  Edward  i.  174. 

Shove,  George  i.  171—176,  ii.  322- 

325,  326,  333. 
Shove,  Sethi.  174,  175,  n.  1. 
Sill,  Henrv  n.  41. 
Skelton,  i.  27. 
Slocum,  Anthony  i.  171. 
Smith,  Capt.  i.  32. 
Smith,  George  P.  i.  152. 
Smith,  John  i.  20,  57. 
Smith,  John  of  Dighton,  II.    115, 

187,  188,  260,  335. 
Smith,  of  Plymouth  i.  23. 
Smith,  Richard  i.  20,  57. 
Snow,  Theodore  W.  EX.  126. 
Sparks,  Jared  i.  72. 
Sproat,  Ann  i.  249. 
Sproat,  Frances  ex.  128. 
Sproat,  James  i.  239,  248,  249. 
Squanto,  or  Tisquantum  E.  14,  31. 
Stiles,  Ezra  n.  188. 
Street,  Francis  i.  20,  62. 
Street,  Nicholas    i.    19,  20,  24,  40, 

58,  156-170,  n.316,  317,  333. 
Street,  Nicholas  2d.  i.  158. 
Street,  Owen  i.  158,  159. 


INDEX   Off   NAMES. 


345 


Street,  Samuel  i.  157-159. 
Strong,  John  i.  20,  48,  53. 
Swift,  Foster  i.  240. 
Symmes,  i.  26. 

T 

Tennent,  Gilbert  i.  330,  350. 
Timelier,  Peter   of  Milton   i.    267, 

269-287. 
Timelier, \Peter  of  Middleboro'    i. 

376-378,  380.  382. 
Thompson,  Otisfll.  127. 
Thompson,  William  i.  27. 
Thornton,  J.    Wingate    i.  72,  330- 

332,  338,  394. 
Tillinghast,  Nicholas  i  250,  II.  331 
Tipping,  Bartholomew  i.  181. 
Tisdale,  James  i.  172. 
Tisdale,  Mrs.  i.  391. 
Tohcv.  Samuel  i.   363,  379,  II.  32 

251-254,  281,  336. 
Torrev,  William  i.  27. 
Trask,  W.  G.  n.  142. 
Tubbs,  Isaac  n.  126. 


Vane,  Henry  Sir.  i.  27. 
W 

Waddington,  John  I.  63,  154,  155 
Wales,  John   I.   360,  379,  II.  212 

218,  336. 
Walker,  James  i.  172, 
Walker,  James  Rev.  n,  129. 
Walker,  Peter  n.  127. 
Ward/Nathaniel  i.  26. 


Wnyland,  Francis  n.  37. 
Welti,  of  Braintree  n.  115. 
Weld,  of  Roxbury  i.  27. 
West,  John  u.  12*5. 
Whalley,  Edward  i.  66,  67. 
Wheaton,  L.  M.  n.  184. 
Wheeler,  Aaron  n.  141. 
Wheeler.  W.  W.  n.  124. 

Wheelock, i.  353,  359,  380. 

Wheelwright,  Henrv  B.  i.  237. 
White,  Ebenezcr  ii.  281-284,  336. 
White,  Samuel  i.  238,  242,  243. 
Wight,  Daniel  Jr.  i.  292-299. 
Wilbore,   Shadrach    i.    56,  236,  IX. 

329,  334. 
Wilcox,  J.  F.  ii.  143. 
Wilde.  Samuel  S.  I.  237,  242,  254, 

ii.  330,  332. 
Williams,  Benjamin  i.  235,  ii.  31. 
Williams,  John  Mason  i.  250,  XI. 

331. 
Williams,  Richard  I.  19,43,  172,  n. 

318,  319,  334. 
Williams,  Roger  i.  17,  23,  46. 
Williams,  Samuel  i.  21. 
Williams,  Seth  i.  235,  295,  334,  II. 

335. 
Wilson.  John  I.  26,41,  161,  180,  n. 

325. 
Winslow,  Edward  i.  13,  25,  29,  33. 
Wines,  n.  127. 
Winthrop,  John  i.  27. 
Winthrop,  John  Jr.  i.  27,  68,  130. 
Wisner,  B.  B.  n.  144. 
Wood,  Benjamin  n.  127. 


CHAPTER    OF    ERRATA. 


The  stereotyped  excuse  with  Editors  or  Authors  for  their  chapter  of  Errata,  is  dis- 
tance from  the  press.  Cotton  Mather  in  Ids  first  edition  of  the  ;-  Magnalia,"  printed 
in  London  in  17l>2,  laments  the  fact  that  his  "  work  is  depraved  with  sundry  errors 
of  the  press-work,"  but  considers  a  distance  of  several  thousand  leagues  a  sufficient 
apology  for  the  same.  He  even  consoles  himself  with  the  reflection  that  "  the  Holy 
Bible  itself  jn  some  of  its  editions  hath  been  affronted  with  scandalous  errors  of  the 
Press  work,  and  in  one  of  them  they  so  printed  these  words,  Ps.  119  :  161  —  Printers 
have  persecuted  ?ne.->  As  for  my  humble  self.  I  have  no  complaint  to  make,  but  feel 
that  great  credit  is  due  to  the  Printers  of  these  volumes  for  their  accuracy  and  care 
in  the  execution  of  their  work. 

Vol.  I.  Tage  41.  3.1  line  from  bottom,  for  "nowtering"  read  nourtenng. 


43.  11th  line 
line, 
1  I  line. 
th  hue 
77.  2d  line, 


up.  1st  line,  for  "  mss."  read  tns. 


for  '•  Theodore,"  read  Theodora* 
for  "1662,"  read  1665. 
for  "poseit,"  read poscit. 
84.  in  the  margin  is  a  quotation  from  Virgil,  Eel.  in.  103d  line.  M  Nescio 
quis  teueros  oculus  mini  fascinat  agnos."     If  the  Mantuan  Bard  were 
alive,  and  should  read,  "  ocidas  fascinant,"  he   would  be   tempted  to 
make  another  line,  which  would  reflect  somewhat  seriously  upon  the 
types. 

B  th  line  from  bottom,  for  "  friend  "  read  friends. 

I  line        "        •'        dele  " 
20th  line,    ':        u        for  "reveal''  read  reveals. 
2 oi  line       "        "        for  "  mss."  read  wis. 
;hfine       '•        "        f . r  "  Teh  "  read  The. 
171,  16th  tine  and  179 p.  10th  line  for  "mss."  read  ms. 

9t  line  from  bottom,  s*  Note  G.r  and  *  dele. 
241,  lot:.  Une  "        add  the  name  of  Dcct.  Jonathan  Harden. 

L5th  Une    "        "        for u  mjf. 

b.  line      "        "        for  '•  Charles"  read  George. 
253,  34th  line     "        "        for  "  17S4  "  read  17CS. 
i54,  4th  line      "        "        for  "  Joseph  "  read  John, 

Lst  line      "        "        '•  Preached"  dele. 
297,  lst  line       "        "        u  Note  A  "  and  *  dele. 
302,  3d  line       "        "        "  letters  •'  dele. 

Vol.  n.  Page  So,  16:h  line  and  36th  p.  4th  line  from  bottom,  for  " geneologlcal  "  read 
genealogical. 

h    tt    h      122.  lst  line  from  bottom,  for  u  342  "  read  343. 

u     u     <c      143,  22  J  line    "   *  *'        for  "Jeremiah  "  read  Jezaniah. 

m    u    (c      155, 43d  line    •'        "        for  "John"  This    emendation 

would  make  Peter  Aldrich  an  original  member  ot  the  church  according 
to  the  original  covenant,  contained  in  the  note.  The  name  of  John  waa 
taken  from  what  professed  to  be  a  "  true  copy  "  of  the  records. 

u     it     <(      246.  32d  line  from  bottom, for  "goal  "  read, e-aoZ. 

"    "    u      260, 24th  line    "        u        for  "  tranactions  "  read  transaction*. 


LIST   OF   SUBSCRIBERS. 


847 


LIST  OF  SUBSCRIBERS. 


The  chief  design  in  publishing  the  names  that  follow,  is  to 
give  their  influence  in  favor  of  future  undertakings  of  a  similar 
kind.  They  have  tended  greatly  to  encourage  the  Compiler  of 
this  work.  A  few  of  the  many  words  of  encouragement  which 
accompanied  the  names,  will  be  inserted  at  the  close  of  the  list. 
An  asterisk  will  indicate  who  of  the  subscribers .  have  already 
died.  Thus  the  present  is  fast  becoming  a  past  generation,  and 
the  ever  moving  months  bear  some  away  from  every  sphere  and 
service  of  earth. 


Names  of  Subscribers.  Residence.  Number  of  Copies. 

Abbott,  John Andover, One  copy, 

Abbott,  W.  M.  F Taunton, 

Adams.  A.  B.,  m.  d Bedford, 

Adams,  Nehemiah,  d.  d Boston, 

Albro,  John  A.,  d.  d Cambridge, 

Alexander,   Richard Taunton, 

Allen,  Foster M       

Allen,  Frederic  D Boston, 

Allen,  John Taunton, 

Allen,  Otis "       

Allen,  Stephen  B Berkley, 

Allen,  Wilbur  F Taunton, 

Ambler,  Deacon Danbury,  Conn 

Ames,  Oakes    Easton, 

Ames,  Oliver  Jr.,  Hon., "       

Andrews,  Bebekah Taunton, 

Andros,  George  TV t;       

Andros,  John  Milton,  Esq Boston, 

Andros,  Richard  S.  Storrs,  Esq Berkley, Three  copies 

Anthony,  James  H Taunton, One  copy. 

Atherton,  Daniel "       " 

Atwood,  George  B ■      Two  copies. 


848 


THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 


Number  of  Copie* 
. .  One  copy. 


Two  copies. 
,  One  copy. 


Names  of  Subscribers.  Residence. 

Atwood,   George  T Taunton, 

Babbitt.  Abijah Berkley, 

Babbitt,  Enoch    "     

Babbitt,  George  H Taunton, 

Babbitt,   Isaac Berkley, 

Babbitt,  John  D u     

Babbitt,  L.  R Taunton, 

Babbitt,  Peter (i       

Babbitt.  Ziba "       

Bacon.  Leonard,  d.  d Xew-Haven,  Conn. 

Bailey,  Jacob Mansfield, 

Barker,  A.J Taunton, 

Barker.  William  P "       

Barnes.  Charles  A "       

Barney,  James  O.,  Per Seekonk, 

Barnum.  P.  T Bridgeport,  'Conn.. 

Barrows.  Albert Xorion. 

Barrows,  George,  m.  d Taunton, 

Barton,  Charles   "         

Bassett.  Anselm,  Esq "       

Bassett,  Charles  J.  H u       

Baylies.  Alfred,  m.  d "       

Baylies,  Edmund "       

♦Baylies,  Prancis,  Hon "       

Baylies,  William,  Hon West  Bridgewater,. . .  Two  copies. 

Bennett,  E.  H.,  Esq Taunton, One  copy. 

Bent.  Josiah !;       " 

Benton,  Zilpha "       " 

Bigelow,  Andrew,  d.  d Boston, Two  copies. 

Black,  John,  Esq Ellsicorth,  Me One  copy. 

Blagden,  George  W.,  d.  d Boston. " 

Blake.  Mortimer,  Rev Mansjield, Two  copies. 

Bliss,  George  D Taunton, One  copy. 

Bliss,  T.  E^  Rev North  Middleboro\  ...         " 

Blodget.  Constantine,  Rev Paictuckct. ■ 

Blood,  Horatio Taunton, ■ 

Bosworth,  Andrew  J "       " 

Bosworth,  Ira "       ■ 

Boutwell.  George  S.;  Hon Groton, " 

Bowen,  Amos Taunton, ■ 

Bowen,  Horace,  m.  d "       " 

Bowen,  Otis "      " 


Two  copies. 
.  One  copy. 


Three  copies 


LIST   OF   SUBSCRIBERS. 


349 


Number  of  Copies. 
. . .  One  copy. 


Names  of  Subscribers.  Residence. 

Bowen,  Simeon Taunton, 

Bowles,  Leonard   Crocker Boston, 

Bradford,  Bartlett Taunton,  .... 

Bragg,  Sarah "       .... 

Bray,  C.  F Boston, 

Briggs,  Artemas Taunton,  .... 

Briggs,  Francis  B Berkley, 

Briggs,  Joseph  W Taunton,  .... 

Briggs,  Mary Berkley, 

Briggs,  Nathaniel Taunton,  .... 

Briggs,  Simeon "       .... 

Brigham,  David,  Rev Bridgeivater,  , 

Brown,  S.  C,  Rev Taunton,  .... 

Brown,  W.  H "       

Bryant,  Caleb "       

Burbank,  Abner "       .... 

Burbank,  Barnas  L "       .... 

Burbank,  Warren "       .... 

Burgess,  Ebenezer,  d.  d Dedham,  .... 

Burt,  Dean Berkley, 

Burt,  Shadrach "     

Burt,  Thomas "     " 

Burt,  Widow «     " 

Butler,  Daniel,  Rev Westboro\ " 

Campbell,  Christopher  C Taunton, " 

Carey,  T.  B Boston, " 

Carver,  Robert,  Rev Raynham, <c 

Caswell,  Samuel Taunton, " 

Chandler,  Joseph  R.,  Hon Philadelphia,  Penn...         " 

Chase,  Giles  G Berkley, " 

Chesbrough,  L.  R Taunton, " 

Child,  George "       Three  copies. 

Child,  Thomas Phipsburg,  Me One  copy. 

Choate,  Rufus,  ll.  d Boston, Two  copies. 

Church,  Christopher  A.,  Hon.  . Westport, One  copy. 

Church,  L.  B Taunton, " 

Church,   H.  W "       " 

Clapp,  Eben,  Jr Boston, " 

Clarke,  Ezra Taunton, " 

Clarke,  E.  H.,  m.  d Boston, " 

Clarke,  Manlius  S.,  Esq "       " 

Clarke,  Nathan Taunton, " 

29 


Two  copies. 
.One  copy. 


350  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 


Names  of  Subscribers.  Residence.  Number  of  Copies. 

Clifford,  John  H.,  Hon Xew-Bedford, One  copy. 

Cobb,  Alvan,  Rev Taunton, Three  copies. 

Cobb,  Elisabeth  B, "       One  copy. 

Cobb,  Jonathan  Holmes,  Esq Dedham, * 

Cobb,  Sally Taunton, ■ 

Cobb,  Samuel  C Boston ■ 

Codding,  James  H Taunton, ■ 

Coe,  Samuel  G.,  Rev Danbury,  Conn " 

Coggshall,  Thomas  J , Boston, ■ 

Coggs\vell:  Francis,  m.  D Bedford, ■ 

Colby,  H.  G.  O.,  Hon New-Bedford,  . " 

Collins,  Asa  B Taunton, " 

Cooke,  Frances  S "       " 

Copeland,  Elijah,  Jr Mansfield, " 

Copeland,  Elisha Taunton, ■ 

Corey,  Leonard Mansfield, " 

Cornell,  William  M.,  m.  d Boston, " 

Cothren,  William,  Esq., Woodbury,  Conn ,: 

Crane,  A.  B Berkley, " 

Crane,  A.  H Taunton, " 

Crane,  Elisha "       " 

Crane,  Eliza Berkley, ■ 

Crane,  Jonathan,  Rev Attleboro\ ■ 

Crane,  William  S Berkley, " 

Crocker,  Samuel,  Hon Taunton, Three  copies. 

Crocker,  Samuel  L.;  Hon "       " 

Crocker,  William  A.  Esq "       " 

Crosby,  William  . .    Boston, One  copy. 

Crossman,  James  W Taunton, " 

Crossman.  Joseph  W "       " 

Crossman.  Robert "       " 

Cummings,  Adoniram Berkley, ■ 

Cushing,  Isaac Boston, " 

Cushman;  Marty n,  Rev Taunton, " 

Curtis,  George  T.,  Esq Boston. ■ 

Danforth,  Royal  W Raynham, " 

Danforth,  Sally Taunton, ■ 

Danforth.  Walter   R.,  Esq Providence,  R.  I. Three  copies. 

Darke,  James Taunton, One  copy. 

Davenport,  William  R <:  « 

Davis,  Isaac,  Hon Worcester, " 

Davis,  Isaac  P.,  Esq Boston, ■ 


LIST   OF   SUBSCRIBERS. 


351 


Names  of  Subscribers.  Residence.  Number  of  Copies 

Davis,  John Boston, One  copy. 

Davis,  John,  Hon Worcester, " 

Dawes,  Ebenezer,  m.  d Taunton, " 

Dawes,  Ebenezer,  Jr "     " 

Day,  P.  B.,   Rev Hollis,  N.  H. 

Dean,  Abiathar Taunton, " 

Dean,  Almira "     " 

Dean,  Benjamin  F "     " 

Dean,  Elizabeth "     " 

Dean,  Francis  B "     Three  copies, 

Dean,  James  Ff M     One  copy. 

Dean,  John Boston, " 

Dean,  John  L Taunton, u 

Dean,  Mary  M "     " 

Dean,  Nathaniel Rnynham, <c 

Dean,  Paddock Taunton, " 

Dean,  Philander  W "     " 

Dean,  Robert  S "     " 

Dean,  Samuel  A "     " 

Dean,  Theodore Raynham, " 

Deane,  Charles Boston, " 

Deane,  George  H "     " 

Deane,  Joseph  P.,  Esq Taunton, " 

Deane,  Rebecca  D Portland,  Me., ° 

Deane,  William  R Boston, " 

Dennett,  Thomas  S Taunton, " 

Dickinson,  William,  m.  d "       " 

Dowland,  Ann "     " 

Dunbar,  Abby "     " 

Dunbar,  Samuel  0 "     

Dunham,  Crawford  P "     


"     Three  copies. 

"     One  copy. 

Eastman,  L.  Root,  Rev BerJdey, Two  copies. 


Elliot,  Susan  C Taunton, 

Ellis,  James  P.,  Esq "     

Emerson.  Ralph,  d.  d Andover, , 

Emery,  Francis  W.  R Boston, , 

Emery,  Francis  F "     , 

Emery,  Joseph  W Philadelphia,  Penn.. 

Emery,  Joshua Andover, 

Emery,  Joshua,  Jr.,  Rev North  Weymouth,. . . 

Erskine,  Robert ►  1 Taunton, 

Everett,  Edward,  ll.  d Boston, 


One  copy. 


Two  copies. 


,  One  copy. 


352  THE  MINISTRY   OF  TAUNTON. 


Names  of  Subscribers.  Residence.  Number  of  Copies 

Fales,  Sarah  K Germantoicn,  Penn.  . .  One  copy. 

Farnsworth,  C.  B..  Esq Pawtucket,  R.  I. " 

Farrar,  Samuel,  Esq Andover,  , " 

Eield,  Albert Taunton. Three  copies. 

Field,  Alison *. .  .Raynham, One  copy. 

Field,  Artemas Taunton, ■ 

Field,  Benjamin  F Boston, ■ 

Fhld,  Justin,  Esq •'     ■ 

Field,  Thomas  P.,  Rev Troy,  NY. ■ 

Fisk,  E.  r Boston, ■ 

Foster,  Charles Taunton, ■ 

Foster,  George  P "     ■ 

^Fowler,  Orin,  Hon Fall  River, " 

Fox,  Jabez Berkley, " 

French,  Edwin "       ■ 

French,  George  S "       ■ 

French,  Jacob  P ■       

French,  Levi u       " 

French,  Mary  A "       ■ 

French,  Timothy  E "       " 

Furniss,  Thomas Taunton, ■ 

Gay,  David "     ■ 

Gay.  Thomas ■     ■ 

Gerrish,  Benjamin "     ■ 

Gilbert,  E.  R  Eev Wallingford,  Conn.  . .  ■ 

Gilmore,  Cassander Raynham, ■ 

*Gilmore,  Henry "         " 

Goddard.  Henry Taunton, " 

Godfrey,  Charles "       " 

Godfrey.  George "       u 

Godfrey,  Job ■       ■ 

Godfrey,  Oliver  S "       ....* " 

Goff,  Darius Pawtucket,  R.  I. ■ 

Graves.  George Taunton, " 

Gray,  John  C,  Hon Boston, ■ 

Greele,  Samuel "      ■ 

Green.  James Mansfield, ■ 

Green,  Simeon u         " 

Gregor.  Elisabeth Taunton, ■ 

Grosvenor,  Charles  P.,  Rev Rehoboth, ■ 

Gushe,  Abraham,  Rev Dighton, " 

Hack,  Christopher  C Taunton " 


LIST   OP   SUBSCRIBERS.  353 


Names  of  Subscribers.  Residence.  Number  of  Copies. 

Hall,  Edwin  B Raynham, One  copy. 

Hall,  John  W.  D Taunton, " 

Hammond,  Sophia  A "       " 

Harris,  Charles  VV.,  m.  d "       " 

Harvey,  Frederick  A "       " 

Hathaway,  Abijah Berkley, " 

Hathaway,  Charles Taunton, " 

Hathaway,  Joseph  D Berkley, " 

Hathaway,  Shadrach "       " 

Heath,  Charles Boston, ■ 

Hewins,  George  S Taunton, " 

Hill,  Alfred  T "       " 

Hill,  Benjamin «       ■ 

Hill,  Henry "       " 

Hill,  Philip  E "       " 

Hillard,  George  S.,  Hon Boston, ■ 

Hinckley,  John  N Andover, " 

Hinman,  Royal  R ,  Esq Hartford,  Conn " 

Hoar,  Samuel,  Hon Concord, " 

Hoard,  N.  S Taunton, " 

Hodfield,  Joseph "       ■ 

Hodges,  Earl Norton, " 

Hodges,  Jesse Mansfield, " 

Holmes,  Franklin,  Rev Norton, '. .  u 

Holmes,  Ira "     " 

Holmes,  William Taunton, " 

Homer.  George  F.,  Esq Boston, u 

Howard,  Ansel Taunton, " 

Hunter,  Albert "       " 

Huntington  &  Lane, "       " 

Hutchinson,  William "       u 

Ide,  William  H '•       

Illidge,  Charles "       " 

Jackson,  Elisha  T " " 

James,  Elisha,  m.  d North  Scituate, " 

Jenks,  William,  d.  d Boston, " 

Jones,  William Taunton, " 

Kendrick,  D.  W "       

Kent,  Preston  VV "       " 

Kilton,  Amos u       " 

King,  Barzillai Raynham, " 

King,  Dan,  m.  d Taunton, " 

2g. 


354 


THE   MINISTRY   OF  TAUXTOX. 


dumber  of  Copies. 

. .  One  copy. 


Three  copies. 
One  copy. 


Names  of  Subscribers.  Residence. 

King.  Daniel Taunton, 

King,  Horatio  B "       .... 

King.  Jonah Raynham,  . . . 

King.  Samuel  B Taunton,  .... 

King.  Silas  S "       

Kiunicott.  Benjamin  T M       " 

Knapp,  Lanos,  Jr "       " 

Lane.  Justis "       ■ 

Lawrence.  Abbott,  Hon Boston, "    " 

Lawrence.  Nathan Taunton ■ 

Lawton.  Charles "       " 

Leach,  Thomas "       " 

Lee,  Charles  2d, ■       ■ 

Lee.  Charles  R "       " 

Lee.  Thomas  J Boston, ■ 

Leonard.  A.  B Taunton, ■ 

Leonard,  Charles Raynham, " 

Leonard.  Cromwell.  Hon Xorton. " 

Leonard,  Elisabeth Taunton, " 

Leonard.  Henry  G u       " 

Leonard.  James  M Bridgeicater, " 

Leonard,  John  B.  H Providence,  R.  I. Two  copies. 

Lewis,  Horace Taunton, One  copy. 

Lincoln,  Gilbert B       ■ 

Lincoln,  Lorenzo "       " 

Lothrop,  Cyrus,  Esq "        " 

Lowing;  Willard "       * 

Lovering,  William  C "       

Luscomb,  Job ■       „ 

Luscomb,  Robert "       ■ 

Lyon.  John  E '•       .... 

Maltby,  Erastus.  Rev "       

Mann,  Horace.  Hon West  Xeicton, One  copy. 

Marden,  Jonathan,  m.  d Taunton, ': 

Maxim,  Elisabeth  P ■       

McDonald.  John "       ■ 

McLean,  Edward, "       " 

McWiskad.  Sarah <:       " 

Merrick,  Francis  J Boston, ■ 

Monagle,  Charles Taunton, ■ 

Monroe,  Francis  L u       Two  copies 

Morris,  Jesse Berkley, One  copy. 


Three  copies. 


LIST   OF   SUBSCRIBERS.  355 


Names  of  Subscribers.  Residence.  Number  of  Copies. 

Morris,  William Taunton, One  copy. 

Morton,  James  Hodges,  Esq Springfield, •' 

Morton,  Marcus,  ll.  d Taunton, Three  copies. 

Morton,  Marcus.  Jr.,  Esq Boston, One  copy. 

Morton,  Nathaniel,  Esq Taunton, " 

Munroe,  Anna  W "       ■ 

Munroe,  David "       " 

Munts.  William  Henry Xorton, " 

Neill,  Henry,  Row, Lenox, " 

Newell,  John  P Taunton, " 

Newell,  Samuel, Berkley, " 

Nichols,  Curtis  C Boston, ■ 

Nickerson,  Josiah  H Taunton, ■ 

Oldall,  John "       " 

Olney,  Charles  R "       " 

Paddleford,  Betsey    "       " 

Paddleford,  Mary "       « 

Paddleford,  Miriam "       * 

Paddleford,  Sarah  J "       " 

Page,  J.  H.  W.,  Esq New-Bedford, " 

Paine,  Charles  C,  Esq Boston, " 

Palmer,  Abel Taunton, ■ 

Palmer,  Julius  A Boston, " 

Parington,  D.  H Taunton, " 

Park,  Edwards  A.,  d.  d Andover, " 

Parkin,  William Taunton, « 

Paul,  John «       ■ 

Paul,  S.  S "       

Pelan.  Thomas "       " 

Perkins,  Clarissa "       " 

Perry,  H.  C "       « 

Philley,  E'.iza «       « 

Phillips,  Daniel  W "       « 

Phillips,  Samuel  W Berkley, " 

Pierce,  George  S Taunton, ■ 

Pierce,  Samuel  G "       ■ 

Pitkin,  Ozias  C "       « 

Pitts,  Albert "       « 

Pizer,  Henry "       « 

Plummer,  George  W "       ■ 

Pool,  Horace  M Eastern, " 

Porter,  B.  B Taunton, " 


356  THE  MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 

Names  of  Subscribers.  Residence.  Number  of  Copies 

Porter,  Charles Taunton, One  copy. 

Porter,  E.  W li       " 

Porter,  \V.  W "       " 

Potter.  Otis  W Providence.  R.  I. " 

Pratt,  A.  W.,  M.  d Taunton, " 

Pratt,  Gilbert  H »       " 

Pratt,  Horatio,  Hon "       " 

Radley,  John u       ■ 

Rand,"  Nathan "       

Ransom.  C.  R Boston, " 

Raymond,  Maria Taunton, " 

Reed,  Ann  D "       " 

Reed,  Charles  Edward »       ■ 

Reed,  Chester  I.,  Hon "       

Reed,  David,  Rev Boston, <; 

Reed,  Edgar  H Taunton, " 

Reed,  Edwin "       ■ 

Reed,  Frederick  A.,  Rev Cohasset, " 

Reed,  Henry  G Taunton, " 

Reed,  Hodges :i       ■ 

Reed,  John "       " 

Reed,  John  D "       ■ 

Reed,  Mary  G «       " 

Reed,  William,  Rev Easton, ■ 

Reed,  William Taunton, " 

Reed,  William,  Jr ';       " 

Rhodes,  M.  M "       

Rhodes,  Stephen c;       " 

Rhodes,  S.  C "       " 

Richardson,  W.,  Rev Berkley, " 

Richmond,  Abby  C Taunton, " 

Richmond,  John  E Berkley, " 

Richmond,  Thomas  T.,  Rev Medfield, ■ 

Robbins,  Thomas,  d.  d Hartford,  Conn " 

Robinson,  Charles Raynham, " 

Robinson,  Mary  Ann Taunton, 

Rounds,  Jabez  S "       Two  copies. 

Rouse,  Wanton, "       One  copy. 

Russell,  Charles  Theodore,  Hon Boston, " 

Samson,  Ira,  m.  d Dighton, " 

Sanfcrd,  Baalis,  Esq Taunton, " 

Sanford,  William  P "       


LIST   OF   SUBSCRIBERS, 


357 


Names  of  Subscribers.  Residence.  Number  of  Copies. 

Savage,  James,  Hon Boston, One  copy. 

Sawyer,  George  A Taunton, " 

Seav(  r,  William  P launton, " 

Sheldon,  Luther,  Rev Easton, " 

Shepard,  Calvin,  Hon Taunton, u 

Shepard,  Silas,  Hon "       Two  copies. 

Shove,  David Berkley, One  copy. 

Shurtleff,  Nathaniel  B.,  M.  d Boston, " 

*Sikes,  Oren,  Rev Bedford, " 

Simmons,  David  P Taunton Two  copies. 

Skinner,  Elias Mansfield, One  copy. 

Skinner,  Homer "         

Slade,  Elisha Somerset, 

Smith,  George Taunton, 

*Smith,  George  P.,  Rev Worcester, 

Smith,  Jesse  B Taunton, 

Smith,  Joseph  C "        

Snow,  Theodore  W.,  Rev "        

Sparks,  Jarcd,  ll.  d Cambridge, 

Spencer,  George Taunton, 

Sprague,  Peleg "      

Sproat,  James,  Esq "       

Stall,  Charlotte  M "      

Stearns,  J.  George  D.,  Rev BilJerica, 

Stetson,  James  H Taunton, 

Stimson,  John  J.,  Esq Providence,  R.  I. Two  copies. 

Strange,  Gardner Taunton, One  copy. 

Street,  Owen,  Rev North  Haven,  Conn.. . 

Sumner,  Bradford,  Esq Boston, 

Sumner,  Charles,  Hen "     

Swan,  Caleb,  m.  d Easton, 

Swan,  Louise  S "      

Talbot,  Samuel  T Taunton, 

Tappan,  Lewis  W Boston, 

Thayer,  John  W Taunton, 

Thomas,  Charles "       

Thornton,  J.  Wingate,  Esq Boston, 

Thurston,  Eli,  Rev Fall  River, 

Ticknor,  George,  Esq Boston, 

Tinkham,  A.  B Taunton, 

Tinkham,  James "       

Tinkham,  Samuel  M "      


358  THE   MINISTRY   OP  TAUNTON. 


Karnes  of  Subscribers.  Residence.  Number  of  Copies. 

Tobcy,  Edward  S Boston, One  copy. 

Townscnd,  S.  R.,  Esq Taunton, " 

Tucker,  Alden  G "       

Tucker,  Josiah,  Rev "       " 

Tucker,  S.  G "       

Tufts,  Charles Boston, " 

Tuttle,  Hannah Taunton, " 

Waddington,  John,  Rev Southwark,  England,.         " 

Waldron,  A Taunton, " 

Waldron,  Hiram "       " 

"Walker,  Leonard "       " 

Walker,  Otis "       

Walker,  Richmond M       " 

Washburn,  Albert  G "       " 

Washburn,  Benjamin  D "       M 

Washburn,  Isaac "       " 

Washburn,  Robert  S -       M 

Wayland,  Francis,  d.  d Providence,  R.  I., . . .         " 

*  Webster,  Daniel,  ll.  d Marsh  field, Three  copies. 

Wheaton,  Daniel  B Boston, One  copy. 

Wheaton,  Laban  M Norton, " 

Wheelwright,  Henry  B Taunton, " 

White,  B.  L «       " 

White,  Henry  W "       

Wbitwell,  William  A.,  Rev Easton, " 

Wight,  Daniel,  Jr.,  Rev North  Scituate, " 

Wilbur,  Isaac Taunton, " 

Wilbur,  John "       . , u 

Wilbur,  Joseph "       " 

Wilbur,  Oliver  S Raynham, *' 

Wilde,  Samuel  S.,  ll.  d Boston, Three  copies. 

Willard,  Joseph,  Esq "     One  copy. 

Williams,  Ebenezer Berkley u 

Williams,  Eliab,  Esq Fall  River, « 

Williams,  Eiisha  W Taunton, u 

Williams,  John  M.,  ll.  d Boston, " 

Williams,  J.  Otis,  Esq "     " 

Williams,  Pardon, "     " 

Williams,  Sidney,  Esq Taunton, Two  copies. 

Williams,  Silas  B "       One  copy. 

Williams,  Thomas,  Rev Providence,  R.  L  ....         " 

Wilson,  E.  T Taunton, " 


LIST   OF   SUBSCRIBERS.  359 


Names  of  Subscribers.  Residence.  Number  of  Copies. 

Winthrop,  Robert  C,  Hon Boston, Two  copies. 

Witherell,  Abiathar Taunton, One  copy. 

Witherell,  A.  E Boston, « 

Witherell,  H.  W "      " 

Wolcott,  Jabez South  Acton, " 

Wolcott,  Samuel  B.,  Hon Salem, " 

Wood,  B.  L Taunton, " 

Woods,  Leonard,  d.  r> Andovcr, " 

Woodward,  George  M Taunton, " 

Woodward,  James "       " 

Woodward,  Manford "       " 

Wool,  John  Ellis,  Hon _  . . .  Troy,  N.Y...., " 

Wyman,  Jeffries,  m.  d Cambridge, " 


Boston,  Sept.  8,  1852. 
Rev.  S.  Hopkins  Emery, 

Dear  Sir: — It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  hear  that  you  are 
preserving  the  history  of  so  ancient  and  important  a  locality  as 
Taunton  from  forgetfulness,  or  falsehood  which  is  worse  than 
forgetfulness.  I  beg  you  would  consider  me  a  subscriber  for 
two  copies,  and  inform  me  of  the  price. 
I  am  with  sincere  regard, 

Your  ob't  servant, 

Kufus  Choatb. 


Washington,  April  17th,  1852. 
Dear  Sir  :  — I  shall  be  glad  to  have  my  name  placed  upon 
the  subscription  list  of  the  proposed  memorial  of  the  Taunton 
ministers,  and  shall  look  forward  with  interest  to  the  publication 
of  the  work. 

Believe  me,  Dear  Sir, 

Faithfully  yours, 

Charles  Sumner. 
Rev.  S.  Hopkins  Emery. 


360 


THE  MINISTRY   OF   TAUNTON. 


Washington,  March  bth,  1852. 
Rev.  S.  Hopkins  Emery,  Taunton,  Mass. 
Dear  Sir  :  — I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  28th  ult.  in 
reference  to  the  publication  of  an  Ecclesiastical  History  of 
Taunton.  I  am  glad  to  know  that  so  interesting  a  publication 
is  contemplated .  My  name  is  entirely  at  your  service,  and  I 
shall  be  glad  to  do  all  in  my  power  to  promote  the  circulation 
of  the  Work. 

I  will  thank  you  to  send  me  three  copies  whenever  it  is  pub- 
lished. I  am,  with  great  regard, 

Very  truly  yours, 

Daniel  Webster. 


Boston,  7  April,  1852. 
My  Dear  Sir: — I  thank  you  for  the  opportunity  you  have 
kindly  afforded  me,  of  uniting  with  so  many  excellent  and  em- 
inent persons  in  aiding  the  publication  of  the  interesting  work, 
to  which  your  letter  of  yesterday  relates. 
Please  set  me  down  for  two  copies. 

I  am,  with  great  respect, 

Your  obliged  serv't, 

Rob't  C.  Wintiirop. 
Rev.  S.  Hopkins  Emery. 


i 


